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gennyanydots · 1 year ago

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"Wan dat, dada!"

Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin x wife reader

Summary: Jake sent his wife and his son out on a mommy/son weekend but didn't realize just how stubborn his wife's carbon copy is. Can anyone speak toddler? Hangman definitely can't.

Warnings- swearing.

Part of the Spitfire Universe not necessary to have ready anything else but helpful!

“Wan dat!”

Jake sighs as he places his forehead on top of his hands on the shopping cart handle to take a deep breath before looking back up at his tiny monster, “I know, baby girl, believe me I know you ‘wan dat’ but I don’t know what ‘dat’ is!”

“Dat!” his beautiful daughter says while vaguely pointing with her chubby little pointer finger that had just been in her mouth.

Jake shudders thinking of all the germs she’s now infested with. What’s with the fingers in the mouth? Why are they always there?

Focus Jake. Bigger fish to fry. He needed to figure out what his daughter wanted but the problem was he’s held every single thing up that he could guess that she was pointing at. They’ve been at this for at least ten minutes and they were both ready to lose their minds because of the other. He could seethe look on his daughter’s face getting more and more exasperated at her father. A face that matches her mother’s.

He doesn’t remember Eli being this stubborn. Eli could be distracted. When he was a toddler Eli was fine with not getting the exact thing he wanted. He had been happy just to be out and about with his daddy. Eli was still always happy when they went places together. He was never fussy.

His daughter though? She was a force to be reckoned with. At 19 months old she had everyone she knew wrapped around her chubby little finger. She was spoiled rotten and Jake wouldn’t have it any other way. Well… except right now. Right this very second he’s so close to losing his shit.

He’s a goddamn fighter pilot. He’s put in high stress situations all the time and he’s about to lose his shit due to a baby. A baby!

He can’t call his wife. He refuses to. He told her that he could handle everything while he shooed her and his son out the door for their mama and son weekend getaway, and he will handle everything. Probably. Hopefully. Fingers crossed.

“Dada! Dat!” Ella says while patting her father’s cheek with the hand that’s still covered in slobber.

Jake groans then pretends to snap his teeth at his daughter’s hand causing her to squeal with laughter. At least he can lighten the mood while he’s about to lose his own shit. He’s not sure which thing will be the last straw. His daughter yelling at him or being covered in her spit.

“What about ice cream, pretty girl? Hmm? Does ice cream sound good?” He offers.

She nods, “Mmmm and dat!”

Didn’t take the bait. Now he owes her two things and heaven help him if he forgets the ice cream.

“Okay, okay,” He says with a sigh. “I hear you. I promise. You want that.” He stands up and bends down slightly so he’s next to his daughter. “Okay baby girl show me.”

She wiggles in her seat then points, “Dat dat dat!”

He tries to follow her finger and her gaze, “The goldfish?”

“No!” She says, shaking her head with a huff. “Dada wan dat.” She then proceeds to start babbling, none of which is anything remotely close to a word that Jake can understand. Is she speaking a different language? That would be just like his wife to teach their daughter a different language just to fuck with him.

He can’t wait until she can speak. English. He needs her to speak English. He never thought he’d say that. Usually he wants his little baby girl to stay as little as possible. Now? Now he needs her to grow up just a little bit so he can understand her and then back to the staying little as long as possible thing. His son grew up way too fast. He’s too big. Jake’s spent hours watching his son sleep in his big boy bed with tears in his eyes, very manly tears, because of how fast his little boy is growing up. If he could squish his son a little bit so he was smaller again, he would. Maybe he could do the same for his daughter. It was way easier when all she did was cry, which is also something he never thought he would admit. Somehow the screaming and crying that Ella used to do was easier than trying to decipher this gibberish. Infants only really want like six things. He can handle six things.

“How about this princess,” Jake says as he picks Ella up from the cart seat and walks over to the row of shelves. “What do you want? What’s ‘dat’?”

Ella giggles and pats at some bags of snacks then wiggles in Jake’s arms.

Jake grabs one of the bags, “This is what you want?”

She shakes her head, “No.”

Jake sighs, “C’mon princess. Help me, help you.”

Ella babbles as she starts looking around then starts to wiggle even harder making it hard for Jake to keep a hold of her.

He hears a gasp behind him and turns while his daughter starts to shout, "Nanana! Nana!"

"My pretty girl, what are you doing here?!" Penny says as she walks up pushing a shopping cart half full of items.

Ella continues to wiggle in Jake's arms before he finally sets her down and she toddles her way to her grandma with her arms raised while squealing in excitement.

Penny leans down to pick Ella up and hugs her close, "Are you being such a big helper? Helping daddy do the shopping since mommy is out of town? Yeah I know you are. Such a biggie girl being a helper."

Jake chuckles, "Yeah. Uh huh. Definitely a big helper and definitely not driving her poor father insane asking for 'dat' when he clearly has no idea what ‘dat’ means no matter how many times she repeats it.”

Penny laughs as she rocks Ella lightly back and forth in her arms, "The great Hangman doesn't understand his daughter? I'm shocked we've finally found something you can't do."

"Well hold on now, I didn't say I can't do it, I just said it's hard and I'm past frustrated at this point. We've been in this aisle for like 20 minutes by now and I am no closer to figuring out what she wants and unlike Eli she has some crazy laser focus that makes it impossible to distract her because whatever ‘dat’ is seems to be the most important thing in the world and she won’t take anything else even though I offered ice cream and instead she’s just getting frustrated and somehow I got covered in toddler slobber," Jake whines.

Penny raises her eyebrow, "You done?"

Jake huffs, "For now.”

Penny laughs as she bounces the toddler in her arms, "You know who she gets that laser focus from, don't you?"

Jake shrugs, "Her mother?"

Penny shakes her head while she walks over to the long line of shelves near Jake, "Oh no, not at all. Your wife gets distracted by the littlest of things. Your son takes after her. Your daughter however is all you. The attitude she has might be her mother but that focus is all from her daddy.”

Jake smiles a bit. He hadn't thought of that. He always just assumes his daughter got everything from her mother. She’s certainly beautiful like her mother and smart like her too. It would have never occurred to him that Ella got this from him.

“That stubbornness came from him too,” Penny adds with a snicker then in a sing song voice, “Uh huh. You’re a stubborn little thing just like your daddy here, aren’t you? Yes you are. Oh yes you are.” She tickles Ella’s belly who squeals with laughter again.

Jake grumbles under his breath about not being stubborn before Penny shoots him a look which promptly stops Jake.

“Okay Ella Bella, what is it you want?” Penny asks as she turns Ella towards the shelves.

Ella points her chubby little finger out again, “Dat! Wan dat, Nana!”

“The Teddy Grahams like you had at Nana’s house the other day?” Penny asks walking the two of them closer to the boxes of snacks all lined up neatly in a row.

“Yesh! Dat!” Ella says smacking the box filled with chocolate bear crackers before Penny grabbed a box and walked over to Jake’s cart and threw the box in.

“Problem solved. Here’s your baby,” Penny says with a kiss to Ella’s cheek before she handing Ella back to Jake as he just stares at Penny in shock.

“20 minutes. I stood here for forever and couldn’t figure it out and it took you less than one minute? What the hell?” Jake says as he turned to place his daughter back in the cart seat.

Penny scowls at him, “Language, Seresin. Better hope I don’t tell Mav or your wife.”

“I’m sorry, m’am. My bad,” He says while trying his best to look apologetic but at the same time ‘What the actual hell?!?’ It wasn’t fair. Is he just bad at understanding his daughter? He didn’t think he was. Does this make him a bad dad?

Penny lightly taps his arm with the back of her hand, “You tried your best. You didn’t know she has a new favorite snack that she tried at Nana’s house this week.”

Jake nods while listening to Penny. He did try.

Penny walks back to her cart after grabbing another box of the crackers and throwing it in her own cart, “Don’t forget about that ice cream you mentioned. Don’t want to set your daughter off again.”

Ella smacks her hands on her father’s who had put his hands back on the cart handle to start pushing again, “Dada mmmmm. Dada!”

Jake laughs, “I hear you, princess. Let’s go get you some ‘mmm’ at least that one I understand. Say ‘bye’ to Nana.��

“Bye bye, Nana!” Ella says before attempting to blow Penny a kiss.

Penny laughs, “Bye bye, sweet girl. Go pick out some yummy ice cream with daddy.” She starts to push her cart before stopping and turning towards Jake, “If you need any more help don’t hesitate to ask, Jake. Don’t stand in an aisle for 20 minutes getting upset at your toddler. We’re all here to help you be the best dad that you can be. Never forget that, okay?”

Jake sighs, “Thank you. Really. I appreciate it.”

Penny nods at him before continuing towards the end of the aisle to finish her shopping.

“Let’s go get you your ice cream,” Jake says as he grins at his daughter who looks up at him with a matching grin. Huh, maybe she has more of him in her than he thinks. Who would have thought?

#jake “hangman” seresin x f!reader #jake hangman seresin x female reader #hangman x reader #spitfire universe #dad!hangman

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attendsquoi · 3 months ago

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Thea's Quest ~ Ch. 10

Chapter 10: Revelation

Summary: Thea confronts the Injustice League, as well as her own fears and accomplishments.

Warnings: Canon typical violence, brief mention of knives/getting cut (in battle)

Word count: 3.5k

Masterlist: Thea's Quest

A/N: New chapter!!! Hooray!!!

~~~

It was a bright day in Happy Harbor, something Thea was unfamiliar with compared to the Octobers in New York. Even with the camp’s magical barrier keeping out the wind and snow, you couldn’t get around the gray skies.

Despite the glorious weather, Thea was inside, hanging around the cave and watching Robin and Kaldur spar. Black Canary had assigned her to analyse her teammates’ fighting styles. Everyone had their predictabilities, and Thea’s soldier’s eye was trained to find them.

The boys paused their sparring as M’gaan, Conner, and Wolf walked into the room. Thea turned to watch them pass, smiling knowingly to herself.

“You know they’re a couple, right?” Robin asked mischievously, saddling up next to Thea and Kaldur.

“I believe I knew before they did.” Kaldur murmured back with a fond smile.

Thea huffed fondly at the interaction, turning her head as more footsteps approached – Artemis and Wally walking into the room a moment later.

“Do we tell them?” Robin huffed jokingly.

“It is not our place.” Kaldur reminded quietly as the two walked up.

Wally looked peeved.

“So if Zatara’s our babysitter of the week, why’s he still here? And why’s he eating my snacks?” Wally demanded, gesturing over to Captain Marvel who was, admittedly, still hanging around.

Before Thea could roll her eyes, the computer rang out, signalling someone’s arrival.

~~~

“Recognized. Batman, Zero, Two.”

The dark knight walked into the room, talking as soon as he was through the zeta tube.

“Computer: national news.”

As his command, the cave’s holographic screen flew up, pulling up GBS’s live reports.

“The initial attack was short-lived, but Metropolis was only granted a short reprieve, and despite the intervention of Superman and the Justice League, there seems to be no end in sight.” The reporter’s voice rang out.

Thea watched with furrowed brows as massive vines plowed through city buildings, growing and lashing out, even despite the defensive attack from the League.

“Should we get out there?” Robin asked with a hint of something Thea was all too familiar with when it came to dealing with self-sacrificial child-soldiers: excitement.

Batman shook his head.

“No. The League will soon have the situation under control. That's not why I'm here. According to your intel, Sportsmaster supplied Cadmus' Blockbuster formula to Kobra.” He said to the team.

“Who combined it with Bane's Venom to create Kobra Venom.” Wally added.

Thea frowned, stepping closer to get a look at the screen. The pieces were falling into place

“Which the Brain used to create his animal army.” Robin reminded.

“And upgrade Wolf.” Conner mentioned.

“The Brain also used inhibitor collars like the ones at Belle Reve Penitentiary.” M'gann included.

“Batman, is it possible that plant thingy's on Kobra Venom too?” Artemis asked.

Thea nodded along, having reached the same conclusion.

“I had Green Lantern run a spot analysis. The vine's cellulose does contain trace amounts of a Kobra Venom variant.” The man informed them, the gravity of the situation clear.

“These cannot be coincidences. Unrelated criminals are cooperating with one another worldwide.” Kaldur said seriously.

“Exactly. It's now clear our enemies have formed some kind of… secret society of supervillains. The attack on Metropolis is only the beginning.” Batman agreed.

Thea frowned. She was far more familiar with the threats posed by mythological monsters than by mortal villains, but whichever one you’re dealing with, when they start teaming up, it’s bad.

“You got that right. Plant creatures have sprouted in Gotham City, Paris, Star City, Taipei–” Robin began, pulling up the footage before all the screens turned to static.

“Dude.” Wally questioned.

“It's not me. Someone's cutting into the satellite signal. All satellite signals.” Robin realized, when suddenly a face that Thea had no desire to see appeared on the screen.

The Joker tapped on the glass of the camera lens, smiling menacingly into the frame.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, we interrupt your regularly scheduled mayhem to bring you this important announcement…”

He turned the camera, panning over to six other figures that Thea didn’t recognize.

“… from the Injustice League.” Joker cut himself off with a laugh that Thea was sure would haunt her nightmares. She didn’t need to know who these guys were to know that they were bad.

“We are responsible for the attacks on your cities. If you wish to save them, a ransom of 10-billion American dollars is required. Delivery instructions have been sent to the United Nations. There is no time limit, but the longer your governments wait…” The man in the middle said.

“The more we get to have our jollies.” The Joker concluded.

He began to laugh again before the screens went back to static.

~~~

“Roger that, Aquaman. The UN will prepare the ransom as a fallback. But it won’t come to that.” Batman growled into his comm.

Robin pulled the video back up, rewinding then freezing on a frame.

“Count Vertigo, The Joker, Poison Ivy, Ultra-Humanite, Atomic Skull, Black Atom, Wotan. Seven heavy hitters. Probably behind nearly everything and everyone we’ve faced.” The boy listed.

Thea recognized the names from the files she had read. She may not have been in this job – or this world – for long, but she did her homework.

“There’s your secret society.” Wally muttered gravely.

“Not so secret anymore.” Artemis observed.

Kaldur’s head raised.

“Perhaps after India they realized we would deduce the truth and saw no point in hiding any longer.” Kaldur mused.

“Yeah? That was their mistake. Right now, I say we go kick some plant-creature butt.” Wally declared.

Thea narrowed her eyes. She could tell that wasn’t Batman’s plan.

“The Justice League will handle the plants. I have a different job for this team.” Batman denied.

“Oh, man…” Wally whined.

Artemis hit Wally’s arm and Thea stifled a laugh.

“With the plants attacking so many locations simultaneously, there must be a central control system. Your mission is to destroy it.” Batman announced.

Thea’s eyes widened. Now that was a mission.

“You realize what you're really asking them to do?” Zatara asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

“They're ready.” Batman replied.

“Ready? Ready for what?” Wally asked, confused.

Artemis hit him again.

“Ow! Will you cut that–?” He cried.

“Hello, Wally.” Artemis sassed.

“If the big guns are fighting plants, who do you think we'll be fighting?” She quizzed.

“I don't know. I guess we’ll–”

Artemis pointed to the screen.

“Oh.” Wally murmured, realizing the situation.

Robin snickered to himself and Thea raised a brow expectantly.

“Well, Batman, I trust you're correct.” Zatara decided.

“I trust you can locate the enemy.” Batman said to the magician.

“Indeed. Wotan's involvement suggests sorcery is part of how the plants are controlled. Robin, if you would provide a holo-map. I'll search for signs of concentrated sorcerous activity.” Zatara explained.

Robin typed away, pulling up a slowly spinning techno-globe. Thea watched as Zatara stepped up to the hologram, raised his hands, and spoke the incantation. Immediately, a red dot popped up on the map.

“There. That is where you will find the Injustice League's central control system.” Zatara announced.

“Coordinates locked in. The Louisiana Bayou.” Robin replied.

“We are on our way.” Kaldur announced, and the team dispersed to suit up.

~~~

The team sat in the bioship, tense as everyone prepared for the mission ahead. Robin checked his tool belt, Kid Flash ate a banana. Thea adjusted herself in her seat, searching for a comfortable position to sit with her new shield strapped to her back. Her sword and dagger were in their sheaths. Silently, she fiddled with her monster-warding necklace before tucking it back until her armor. She was ready.

“What's in the duffle?” KF asked softly, drawing everyone’s attention to the back at Aqualad’s feet.

“Plan B.” Their leader replied resolutely.

Thea frowned at the grave tone, but before she could reply, Miss Martian groaned in pain.

“You all right?” Superboy asked, concerned.

“Dizzy.” Miss M murmured.

“Martians get airsick?” Robin asked.

“She does look a bit greener than usual.” Kid Flash volleyed back

“Not me, her.” Miss Marian corrected.

“I feel fine.” Thea and Artemis spoke in tandem, confused.

“Not her, the Bio Ship. She's trying to shield us but–” Miss Martian was cut off as a wave of turbulence hit the aircraft.

Miss Martian worked to steady the ship when something hit them from the outside.

“Styx!” Thea swore, clutching the arm rests of her seat as the ship went tumbling.

The bioship was hurled into the water, the team bouncing around as the ship bobbed in the bayou before finally settling.

“Everyone alright?” Thea panted as they finally stopped moving.

She spoke too soon. The ship rocked again, suddenly being pulled downward.

~~~

The hull of the ship groaned as massive vines constricted around the wings, pulling the ship deeper into the water. There was a crash, then Black Atom appeared, ripping a hole in the top of the bioship.

“Unh! He's hurting her.” Miss Martian clutched her head.

Superboy leapt from his seat, punching the intruder in the face and sending him flying away from the bioship. But the team had a new problem, as the vines yanked again, pulling the ship fully underwater. Everyone stood from their seats, glancing around as water started to fill the area. Within seconds it was up to their hips.

“No. No way I'm nearly drowning three missions in a row.” Artemis commented, pulling out a rebreather.

Thea chuckled at her words, agreeing with the sentiment. She watched as the girl silently passed an extra over to KF.

“Wow. Uh, thanks.” The boy replied.

Thea raised a brow at the moment, but didn’t bother commenting. The demigod took a large gulp of air and dove down as the water filled the room.

“M'gann, we need to get out. Open a hatch.” Superboy called.

“Hello, Megan. Of course.” She managed, straightening up and opening an underwater door in the ship.

Out! Everyone out! Aqualad ordered through the mindlink.

One by one, the team swam out of the bioship, surfacing a few seconds later. Thea made a mental note to thank Chiron for the mandatory water safety training he had them to do year after year. She swam well, and her lungs were strong.

The team regrouped on land, watching through the trees as the bioship was finally pulled all the way under water.

“She's in shock. She'll need time to recover.” Miss Martian told the team.

Before anyone could respond, a wave of nausea washed over the team. Thea fell to her knees, the piercing headache squeezing her skull.

“Vertigo.” Kid Flash muttered, recognizing the villain.

“Count Vertigo to you, peasant.” The man declared.

Suddenly the pain stopped. Thea forced herself up quickly, unsheathing her sword and moving to aid Superboy as Black Atom attacked.

Robin, Miss Martian, disappear. We will keep them busy. You two fulfill the mission objective. Aqualad directed.

The two stealthiest members of the team vanished into the jungle as Aqualad used his water bearers to pull from the swamp, pushing Count Vertigo back. Thea slipped her shield off her back and onto her arm. It was time for battle.

Their success didn’t last long.

~~~

Thea groaned quietly. The last thing she remembered… the fight with Vertigo and Atom. She had been doing well, holding her own, until Vertigo snuck up on her from behind.

“They awaken. You’re certain this will hold them?” A voice rumbles from nearby.

Thea forced her eyes open, propping herself up. The ground was golden, and almost glowing. It almost reminded her of ichor.

“The cage is impenetrable. Even the Superboy has no chance of escaping.” A new voice responded.

Thea looked around, realizing the golden ground was the bottom of some sort of flying cage. The rest of the team was there with her two.

“You are not the only one trained in the mystic arts, Wotan.” Aqualad declared, his skin starting to glow as his sorcery worked to give him strength.

The cage bars bent, and then sparked. Aqualad groaned, sinking back to the ground, skin smoking.

Thea crawled to his side quickly, steadying him with a hand on his shoulder as she glared up at the new villain. There was something… monstrous about his appearance.

“Please, Atlantean, do not pretend you're in my league.” Wotan scoffed.

Thea watched as the villains flew the cage over to some kind of compound, a bigger vine than any she had seen on the news reports crawling out the top. There was a rush overhead. Thea turned, feeling a wind as the bioship flew by, knocking Wotan away from the heroes.

The cage dissipated, but as soon as they were free, they were falling.

Thea ducked into a roll, landing alongside Superboy and Wolf. She smiled to herself. Robin and M’gann were nearby.

In front of them, a white gorilla with a gun stepped forward.

“Another one?” She scoffed, confused by the gorilla motif of the past week.

“I hate monkeys.” Superboy growled, before launching into an attack.

Thea grabbed her dagger, following close behind.

Glancing around as she helped Superboy fight Ultra Humanite, Thea saw Poison Ivy arrive. Artemis and Kaldur reached for their weapons, finding them lost from the fall.

“Ah. I feel naked,” Artemis muttered. “And not in a fun way.”

Thea chuckled to herself at the archer’s words, meeting Aqualad’s gaze fleetingly as their leader rolled his eyes.

“We will make our own fun, as we have been trained. Maneuver seven!” He called as Ivy sent more vines their way.

Artemis ran over to where Aqualad was and he used his strength to launch her over the plants to kick Ivy down.

Kid Flash ran toward Vertigo, only to get slowed down by his waves of dizziness. Black Atom hit him out of the way and he fell toward Thea. Dodging to not get hit by her friend, Thea got thrown off of Ultra Humanite, leaving Superboy and Wolf to hold him down on their own. The monkey broke free a moment later. Artemis and Aqualads’ attack on Poison Ivy was becoming similarly worrying when Thea glanced up, noticing blinking lights.

“My baby.” Poison Ivy murmured, looking up to the mother plant covered in Robin’s bombs.

The lights flashed, blinking twice before detonating. Thea covered her ears as the bombs went off, the plant going up in flames. From the rubble, Robin and Miss Martian appeared.

“Timber.” Robin said.

~~~

Ivy summoned a wall of new vines, sending them toward the boy with vigor. Miss Martian shredded them in the air, before getting blasted from the side.

Thea gasped quietly, fumbling to get up and into a fighting position. On the roof was The Joker.

“Children? Children foiled our plan? Inconceivable. Unacceptable. Retributionable! That last one might not be a word. So sue me.”

“Kill them. Kill them all.” Count Vertigo commanded from the ground.

Thea and Artemis stood back to back, weary but ready to fight when Vertigo’s rays hit them again, sending them to the ground in agony. Weakly, Thea could hear Kid Flash moving to help them only to get blasted by someone else.

“Enough.” A stern voice demanded from the air.

Wotan rose above the battle, sending rays of lightning to each of the heroes, forcing them against the ground. Thea yelped in agony, mind going back to the mission with Kent Nelson. She was not a fan of being electrocuted.

Distantly, Thea could see Aqualad holding back the attack with his hands. Miss Martian summoned the bioship, dropping down the duffel bag. He unzipped it, pulling something out. Suddenly, Wotan’s onslaught stopped.

Thea pulled herself to her knees, eyes widening at the sight of the helmet of fate in Aqualad’s hands.

“Aqualad!” She called desperately.

“No, Aqualad! Don’t!” Kid Flash warned.

Aqualad paid them no mind as he lowered the helmet onto his head.

~~~

“Wotan. You are mine.” An eerie mix of Kaldur and Dr. Fates’ voice announced, binding the magician with his glowing sorcery.

Thea didn’t have time to grieve as a new movement in the corner of her eyes caught her attention.

“Wonderboy. You are mine.” The Joker mocked Dr. Fate, merging into his laugh.

The clown pulled out a switchblade, the metal glinting silver in the light as he targeted Robin. Thea forced herself to her feet, running to help. Robin’s side steps were agile and calculated, but he was no doubt unequipped for the psychotic rage in The Joker’s movements.

“I’ve always wanted to carve this bird.” He spoke, vengeful and deranged.

The rest of the team was quickly engaged in their own battles as Thea worked to protect Robin. In one terrifying moment, Robin ducked one of the knives but was knocked off balance. Thea threw her shield, the large disk giving Robin a second of cover before it clanged to the ground.

“That was stupid, little girl.” The Joker said happily, turning on a defenseless Thea. The girl turned and ran, demigod reflexes no doubt saving her life, though he managed to slice her bicep.

Distantly, Thea became aware of a new voice up in the air. Glancing up, she breathed a sigh of relief as the league appeared.

With the team working alongside the leaguers, Thea found new energy. Within minutes, the team of villains was surrounded.

“It’s over.” Batman declared.

“There will be another day.” Vertigo muttered, threatening but resigned.

“Another day? Another day?! There won't be another day! Not for any of us!” The Joker began to yell, raising more plants from the ground.

Thea stumbled, stepping back to find solid ground as the buds on the vines opened, releasing puffs of green gas into the air.

“Joker-Venom spores! Don't breathe!” Batman warned, moving to knock The Joker out.

Thea gasped quietly, raising her chin to get a gulp of clean air as her teammates fumbled for their rebreathers.

Above them, Doctor Fate rose in the air.

“Fear not.” The sorcerer assured, summoning a glowing ankh in the air.

The symbol glowed brighter, humming at a frequency Thea felt in her bones. In the blink of an eye, the venom was pulled into the sky before dissipating in a flash of light.

“Fate has intervened.”

~~~

“What were you thinking? How could you let him put on the helmet?! Nabu will never release him now. Kaldur will be trapped inside Doctor Fate forever.” Wally lamented out loud.

Thea frowned, her ears still ringing. She wanted to blame it on Dr. Fate’s glowing ankh, but she knew in her heart it was about losing a friend.

There was a moment of silence, then Dr. Fate took off the helmet, revealing Kaldur. Thea breathed a quick sigh of relief, blinking away tears before anyone could see them.

Wally walked up to Kaldur, a similar relief clear in his eyes.

“Nabu let you go?” He asked Kaldur, disbelieving.

“He almost did not. But your friend Kent was most helpful,” Kaldur explained softly. “He says, "Hello."” He added.

“We're done here. The supervillains' secret society has been neutralized. As for your performance… It was satisfactory.” Batman declared.

Thea raised a brow at his words, smiling to herself. They’re painfully detached, certainly, but that’s the closest she – or anyone else on the team – had ever been to a compliment.

~~~

“Diana?” Thea called, walking into her mentor’s apartment.

“Oh, Thea!” The woman called, appearing from the kitchen.

“Come here, come here. Come sit down.” She beckoned kindly, eyes drawn to the bandage around her arm.

Thea smiled softly, relaxing as she entered the space, letting her duffel bag fall off her shoulder and onto the floor as she sank onto the couch.

“I am so glad it’s the weekend.” She murmured, smiling up at Diana as the woman settled next to her.

“Yes, as am I. You need rest after the mission you’ve had.” Diana affirmed, gently pulling Thea’s arm over to inspect the injury.

Thea hummed at her words, letting Diana maneuver her arm as she liked.

“I’m okay, Di. I got it bandaged in the med bay, and I had a piece of ambrosia. It’s already healing.” Thea assured quietly.

Diana huffed softly.

“I know. It’s already looking much better. I just… I hate seeing you hurt.” She admitted, offering Thea a kind smile.

Thea softened under her gaze, blushing lightly.

“Shouldn’t you be telling me that it’s par for the course? Injuries build character? Something like that.” Thea teased gently.

Diana scoffed fondly, pinching the girl’s chin lovingly.

“If that’s the case, you and I have both had more than enough character building to last a lifetime. I’d rather just be worried about you.” She chided.

Thea chuckled, dimples showing as she smiled, pulling her legs up to her chest as she settled fully into the couch.

“Regardless, I’m very glad you are okay. I’m also so, so proud of you Thea. I mean – look at the way you’ve grown into this world. A month ago, you wouldn’t have known who half the people you needed to fight were.” Diana praised warmly.

Thea flushed again.

“I still didn’t really.” She murmured, wincing playfully.

Diana rolled her eyes.

“Thea. You are still learning, of course. But you are an excellent hero. You are a strategist, a warrior, a teammate, and look how far you’ve come.”

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thetravelingtyper · 2 years ago

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a supreme love (Spitfire! GN! Reader x Simon 'Ghost' Riley) Spitfire Pt 5

The team enjoys some late-night baking, and fluff ensues...

Deeply inspired by Almost (Sweet Music) by Hozier!

Warnings: None :D

Part 4, Masterlist

“I came in from the outside

Burnt out from the joy ride

She likes to roll here in my ashes anyway

Played from the bedside

Is "Stella By Starlight"

"That Was My Heart"...

The drums that start off "Night And Day"

Hozier’s voice slipped into the air full and sweet. The base was quiet in the morning as your discarded phone scattered reflected light. Cookies baked in the meticulously cleaned oven and you swayed under warm lights. The holidays had passed easily, and for the first time in the year, you and the rest of the 141 were home for uninterrupted months. There was other work to be done, assessments, training, and assorted intelligence updates. But no killing, no smoke, and no blood. You close a drawer with your hip and grimace. Well, some blood.

A flash in the hall and you flip around spinning under engulfing arms. There is a deep grunt and your surprise greeter is on the ground under your knees in an instant.

“Sweet Jesus” Soap grunts, face pressed into the tile. You huff a laugh and easily pull him up. He then spins on you and lifts you by your hips. His strong arms sweep you up with a startled laugh that jumps out into the calm night. A light turns on down the hall as he spins you around, you have to duck your head to avoid hitting a hanging light as he sways you then in a dance.

“I wouldn't know where to start

"Sweet Music" playing "In The Dark"

Be still "My Foolish Heart,"

Don't ruin this on me”

The song continues as a shadow stalks silently into the hallway, form lithe and ready to fight. Simon reaches the arch into the kitchen and the sight makes him pause. Your head is knocked back in light and soft laughter, his wedding ring hanging simply on your tanktop as you’re spun like a top by an equally giggly Scotsman. Soap has a deep love in his eyes and a loopy grin on his lips. He then catches Simon watching and sends a wink, Simon glares under his mask, the balaclava crumped with haste.

Johnny lowers you to the floor, and you, a little dizzy, wrap your arms around his neck. You both stood eye to eye easily and you pressed a fond kiss to his cheek. The Scot had been Simon’s best man and your adoptive brother for these few long years. He spins you and dips you as Simon finally enters.

The song repeats, it appeared multiple times in this baking playlist, and in the early wee hours of the morning, Fate played her fond strings for the forest god.

“"The Very Thought Of You" and "Am I Blue"?

"A Love Supreme" seems far removed

"I Get Along Without You Very Well," some other nights

The radio news reader chimes

Reporting "Russian Lullabies"

She'll turn to me awake and ask, Is everything "Alright"

As you dip you catch Simon's eyes and he pauses, Soap holds you a moment and pulls you back up to his chest in a bear hug as the timer goes off. Simon’s heart swells with the smell of cookies, the comfort of his teammate, and the love of his partner. He signs and the balaclava slips off. Scars reflect in the light as he shifts. He gives Soap his moment as he performs the proper military husband duty.

Simon pulls out a ridiculous corgi oven glove and pulls your famous cookies out of the oven. The smell immediately bounds out of the confines of the kitchen and another light turns on the other end of the hall. You all hear footsteps and you laugh into Soap’s chest as Simon sets the trays down on the over to set.

Kyle enters in workout gear and looks around.

“Double Chocolate Chunk?”

Your voice is muffled against Soap’s chest, your reply is lost to the comfort of familiarity, your heart warm and fuzzy. Simon decides that your sleepy mumbles mean time is up and Soap whines as you are pulled from him into sleeveless arms. Your husband wore one of your largest shirts. It was over-sized to make you feel small and fun but it fit him perfectly. A rumble of satisfaction left him as he saw you realize this. Your hands pull into yourself and you tuck into him effortlessly.

Price enters, his kids debating.

“No, Hozier means Double Chocolate with homemade Sea Salt Caramel.”

Simon hums in confirmation, and a hand reaches for a hot cookie. Soap shoves it into his mouth and gives a sinful moan, your head shoots up in disgust.

“Keep it in your pants, Johnny.”

Gaz snorts and pulls the parchment paper off the pan and onto a cooling rack.

“It helps the cookies set better” Gaz mutters as you speak aloud from Simon’s chest.

“We know Kid.”

Price grabs a slightly cooler cookie and slides out of the room, dad tax paid and accepted. Gaz follows suit, wrapping three deluxe cookies in a paper towel and following his Captain.

Soap slightly scalded on the tongue mumbles a goodnight and pecks your cheek before Simon lightly shoves his face away.

“Night Spitz, L.T.”

“Night Soapy.

“Go to bed, Johnny.”

“Aye.”

The lights in the hallway shut off leaving the kitchen alone under one lonely bulb. Hozier sweetens the moment, fate singing her due.

“I wouldn't know where to start

"Sweet Music" playing "In The Dark"

Be still "My Foolish Heart,"

Don't ruin this on me”

The song softens into silence as you call for your phone to pause the music. You give a yawn, stepping back to stretch. Simon’s arms loosen but linger at your waist as his face firmly regards you. You make to pull away to clean but he holds you in place. His eyes smolder in the low-lit silence, not a soul aware but you two in the center of this peaceful universe. Your eyes question him with a smile as you raise a brow, grin spreading, but his mouth remains a solid pondering line.

You stand a moment, the cookies cooling now, and you run a hand to his cheek. He leans into it, a solid wraith materialized with love and your heart melts at the movement. He seeks your warmth like a moth. You run your other hand down his stubbled chin to the base of his neck. Your wedding band sat silver on top of your shirt. Your love swelled and his eyes closed and his head dipped onto yours. You stood vigil with his heart as the night melted away with warm chocolate and caramel.

“I wouldn't know where to start

"Sweet Music" playing "In The Dark"

Be still "My Foolish Heart,"

Don't ruin this on me”

#ghost x reader #cod mw2 2022 #gender neutral reader #fanfiction #simon riley x reader #spitfire universe #cod mw2 2022 fanfic #captain price #john soap mactavish #kyle gaz garrick #Price as team dad #simon riley fluff #simon 'ghost' riley x reader #simon riley x you #simon ghost x reader #simon ghost riley

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dreamlandcreations · 10 months ago

Note

I feel like a kid before Christmas just thinking about Daemon & reader... like him watching as she gets scolded and being hella amused about her backtalk... their first real conversation... her eventually meeting his dragon...

That's basically chapter 2 🙃

Yepp, best entertainment he had in years

There will be a feast after the tourney, they'll talk there and after 👀 (after they both got patched up 😅)

There will be drama and smut and fluff

I loooooove the scene with meeting Caraxes, he's a big puppy 🥰

#they have an interesting dynamic #spitfire and hothead #and then boom blazing before the calm and fluff #daemon targaryen x reader #ask #mutuals 💕

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serpentsillusion · 1 year ago

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The conversation after it got *physical* with Rookwood. (Plus introductions are in order because I'm old and can't use technology.)

✨✨🐍✨✨

((definitely punched Rookwood in the face))

Jess: Oh you mean that? *Heh heh*

Jess: I am! And I'll do it again! 💢

Some little screenshots I got my grubby little sausage fingers on. Introducing my cocky little spitfire of an MC; Jessica "Jess" Burke ( of Borgin and Burkes) Probably the female version of our beloved Sebby Boi. 💚

Here She is: ✨✨✨

What do you guys think?? Let me know! 😁😁✨

Thank you for literally ALL the love and support! Love you guys! Xx

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astragreenwoode · 2 years ago

Text

The Spitfire Curse - Chapter Four

Previous: Chapter Three • Next: Chapter Five • Masterlist • AO3 Version

Rating: Explicit (18+ ONLY)

Pairings: Billy Hargrove x Fem!OC (Only Mentioned)

Warnings: Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-Con, Non-specified Mental Illness, Self-Harm, Drug Use, Hypersexuality, Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms, Hearing Voices

Genre: Adventure, Thriller, Horror, Slow-Burn Romance, Angst, Hurt/Comfort. Smut, Fluff, Slight Canon-Divergence, Fix-it fic

As always, thank you @take-everything-you-can for your beta reading and all your feedback!

Chapter Four: Filled With A Distrust In Authority

Word Count: 8,374

Chapter Warnings: Disembodied Voices, Police Brutality, Anxiety, Self-Deprecating Thoughts, Assault, References to Murder and other Criminal Activities, Mentions of Drug Use, Self-Harm, Mental Illness

Chapter Summary: Maeven reflects on her relationship with cops before her nerve-wracking meeting with the police chief of Hawkins, who turns out to be the complete opposite of what she expected.

June 1982

Billy and I had our fair share of run-ins with the cops. I can count on both hands the times we were caught smoking weed, trespassing in abandoned buildings, or fooling around in his Camaro. We were only arrested or put in a holding cell twice, but it was twice too many times. Mom and Dad gave me hour-long lectures that ended up with me running to my room and slamming the door on them as I yelled back, “I FUCKING HATE YOU!”

I never used to do that before.

I wasn’t always frightened of cops. Up until I learned about the Gay Liberation Movement from my uncle, I saw them as people I could trust with my life and safety. But even then, I always felt some uneasiness shaking up my body. Even though I knew I was supposedly ‘safe,’ their presence filled me with a fear similar to the kind when I would get in trouble with a teacher when I didn’t even understand what I did wrong.

After my uncle told me his story of being in so many protests and what cops did to people like him, like me, my seemingly pointless fear of authority figures was validated. This wasn’t long after I had my first kiss with a girl in Middle School.

Even if this sudden realization made my life feel on edge from there on out, something that was constant during this period in my life was my Dad; I never felt unsafe with him. And I had a better understanding with him about why he’d have Max and I favor him instead of the cops in terms of our safety. The waters of doubt became clearer after I was arrested for the first time.

My friend, Emily Bernard, was my first ever kiss and almost girlfriend, but we were awkward with each other whenever we weren’t making out. Her brother, Jordan, was my first-ever boyfriend. He was my first everything. On one hand, being his girlfriend kept me safe from the possible bullying I’d get if it got out that I liked girls. On the other hand, I genuinely did like Jordan. Being with a guy could be just as charismatic and breathtaking as being with a girl.

Sure, he was a bit clueless and headstrong, but he meant well. He was reckless with himself for fun, and I was always the one to talk him out of making bad decisions. It was exhausting at times, but we really enjoyed each others’ company. I was naive enough to think that maybe, just maybe, we’d be together forever. Maybe it was my inner child still trying to hold onto that fantastical hope that disappeared the older you get. Maybe it was my brain telling me how much I needed close bonds like this in order to survive, the way animals do in the wild. But I wasn’t a princess. I wasn’t an animal. I wasn’t in a fairytale. Life wasn’t perfect.

When I was a freshman in high school, two years into our relationship, I found out that Jordan cheated on me. He was my first heartbreak, the last first he’d ever be to me. Even when he tried to deflect my anger toward the girl he hooked up with, I stayed mad at him. He was the one in a relationship. Jordan could’ve simply told her that, but he didn’t. It was the fact that he chose not to that made me so mad, and it was insulting to try and make himself out as the victim.

After a week of burying my heartache in ice cream and horror movie marathons with Max and a month of avoiding eye contact with Jordan at school, I went to his house to drop off a box of his things we kept in my room. I was also hoping to get my stuff from his room in return. It was what adults did; it was the mature thing to do. I had come to terms with our breakup and was ready to move on.

But we weren’t adults; we were kids. And more often than not, kids are villainously petty. The day I came back to the Bernard family home to return Jordan’s things, I went from mature to petty in a flash. It was a cool summer night as I was about to ring the doorbell, I heard Jordan curse out in the backyard.

“OW! GODDAMIT!”

When I trailed around the house, I found him tripping over a bundle of tree branches. He was really good at building fires. We used to camp a lot. As soon as I saw I box with all my things I left with him next to the roaring fire pit, I lost my shit. It was the first time I heard the jumbled voice that taunted me with intrusive thoughts and impulsiveness.

They told me, “Fuck being the bigger person! He’s about to burn all your shit! Are you gonna let him get away with that, Maeven?”

Without even realizing it, I snuck up on Jordan so that the next time he turned around, he’d scream and fall backward.

“What the hell are you doing?”

He screamed like your average horror movie victim; it was probably the reason he didn’t like to watch them with me. Jordan could be tough and headstrong in certain situations but was a clumsy scaredy-cat once he stepped outside of them.

“Oh, hey, Mae-Mae! Hi, uhmmm, what. . .what’re you doing here?”

“You don’t get to fucking call me that, Jordan! Not anymore! So, I’ll ask you again; what the hell are you doing?!”

As he awkwardly looked me up and down, he frantically gathered the branches and threw them into the fire pit with some old clothes I didn’t recognize. It must’ve been for kindling.

“What’re you doing here?”

I rolled my eyes. Did he honestly think I was that stupid? Did he not see the completely obvious box of his things I had in my hands?

“I asked you first,” I sneered at him. He jumbled on his words momentarily, making random vowels and sounds before straightening his train of thought.

“Spring cleaning?” He gave me a nervous smile that said ‘please buy it,’ as he began sweating.

“It’s June, and that’s a fire,” I pointed out.

His pupils dilated with panic as he stood up before a lame attempt was made to hide my box of stuff behind his dumbass legs as if I hadn’t already seen it. One of my worst pet peeves of his was how he refused to admit when he was cold. I rarely saw him out of shorts.

“My turn. What’re you doing here?”

“I was gonna be the bigger person and return the stuff you left at my house before proceeding to never speak to you again.” I gestured to the box of his things in my grasp before placing my hand on my hip and tilting my head.

“Good for you, Maeven. I’m proud of you,” he said so matter-of-factly. I could tell he was bursting with the energy he needed to make a run for the house.

“Yeah. But now. . .now I’m having second thoughts.”

The closest thing to Jordan shitting his pants was his heart dropping into his stomach. He had never seen me this angry before, but I had been bottling up all the bullshit he made me endure these past two years.

“Really? Why is that?”

If it were possible, he’d fill a barrel of nervous sweat like an old cartoon.

“Because you’re burning my shit, Jordan! That’s why!” I almost cut him off, my intrusive thoughts and instinct response jumping against his verbal attack.

“No I wasn’t,” he defended himself, surprisingly calm. “Can I have my box back now?”

Yes. This was the hill I was willing to die on.

“I don’t know, Jordan! Can I have my virginity back?!”

The world around us suddenly went deadly silent and laced with tension. Jordan’s eyes widened in shock, but he remained speechless. If I’d been able to see beyond my anger at his betrayal, I would’ve noticed the small changes in his body that indicated when his heart split in half.

“I didn’t even burn it, yet!” he whined.

“But you were going to,” I clarified. His eyes widened as he realized he was caught red-handed in a lie.

“. . .shit.”

As if he was an animal using its defense mechanisms, he took one of the branches out of the fire pit and swung it at me, hitting my arm as the flames burnt my skin. It felt like someone pushed me into a hot grill.

“Are. . .you. . .SERIOUS?!?!”

My face scrunched up in anger as I subconsciously threw his box on the fire pit. I didn’t feel the pain in my knuckles until after it collided with his face; at least it didn’t hurt as much as my arm burned. It shouldn’t have felt as good as it did to see him clutching his face on the grass like that as he pinched his nose to stop the flow of blood. He was pathetic before, but he looked even more so now.

“What’re you two idiots doing??” Emily yelled at us as she stood on the porch.

“I’m not an idiot!” Jordan and I yelled in unison.

“Right,” she rolled her eyes. “Hey, Idiot and Maeven. Knock it off.”

I let out a laugh so unnecessarily loud, making me feel even better than before now that I knew at least someone was on my side. . .for now.

“Whose side are you on??” Jordan whined again, getting up to walk towards the porch to his sister.

“Let’s see who wins first, then I’ll decide,” she replied.

“She burnt my stuff, Em!” he yelled, using his now blood-covered hand to point at me like a tattling toddler. “Skating and rock music have driven her to violence!”

I walked right up to him as he backed off like a cornered rabbit. I got up right in his face as I narrowed my eyes.

“You were gonna burn my stuff first, Jordan! And the only thing that has driven me to violence is you, you small-dicked son of a bitch!”

At my last syllable, he stumbled backward on his feet and knocked the back of his head on the wooden railing of the porch.

“HA!” Emily laughed before covering her mouth with her hand.

Jordan got up almost immediately and towered over me, ready to defend his honor.

“I told you never to mention that!” he yelled, shoving my shoulders, forcing me to step back from him a bit. I turned my eyes toward Emily.

“Will you please talk some sense into your lunatic of a brother!?”

She exhaustedly groaned, tilting her head up to the sky.

“You’re both acting like lunatics! And if you don’t knock it the hell off, someone’s gonna call the cops!”

In her defense, we were pretty loud.

“Fine. I’ll go as soon as you apologize and give me back my stuff,” I said, turning my head to Jordan. He had gotten what he deserved. I burnt his stuff, gave him a bloody nose, and announced the size of his dick to his whole neighborhood. That should’ve satisfied me, I should’ve known when to walk away, but I didn’t.

“Apologize?!” he laughed in my face. “I don’t have to apologize for anything, Maeven! You punched me in the face and burnt my shit! And technically, you don’t get a say in what I do with ‘your’ shit. You left it at my house, therefore, it's mine.”

I considered punching him again, but I didn’t. It would’ve landed me in more trouble than I already was about to be in.

“There she is! Right there!”

I turned around to see Mr. Bernard pointing his finger at me, two cops behind him as they stomped their way toward me. One of them took out their set of handcuffs.

“Dad?” Emily asked him. “What’re you doing?!”

“Oh, shit-AAAHH!!”

Before I knew it, one of the cops shoved me in the chest and sent me falling backward on the grass. My head collided with the ground and made my ears ring as I tried to find my bearings.

The one without the handcuffs aggressively turned me over onto my stomach before proceeding to push his knee into the small of my back. It forced the air out of my stomach and lungs. My brain tried to force my body to move, but I was frozen in place. I understood now that it was my body’s way of keeping me safe; it knew better than my head that I couldn’t fight this situation.

“What the hell!? I didn’t do anything!”

He shoved my head into the grass with his hand as his partner bound my hands. They hauled me up by the chain of the cuffs as they dug into my wrists, roughly grabbing my arms as they dragged me away.

“You’re under arrest for domestic violence and destruction of property. You have the right to remain silent-”

I blocked them out and turned my eyes to the Bernards.

“You’re arresting me for a bloody nose and a bad breakup?!” I scoffed. “Are you fucking kidding me?! He’s the one who burnt me!”

I couldn’t prove it, but I swear that one of them dug his fingers into the fresh burn on my arm. My feet refused to move as they dragged me along the grass from the backyard to their squad car; it was hard to believe this was really happening. It certainly wasn’t necessary for them to be this aggressive with a 5’4 fifteen-year-old girl.

“Dad, what’re you doing?!” Emily yelled behind me.

I could hear them trailing behind us as one of the cops kicked at my feet, forcing me to stand and walk with them.

“She assaulted him! It’s the least she deserves!” Mr. Bernard replied to his daughter.

“Dad, it’s just a bloody nose! I’m fine! Just let her go!”

That was certainly a surprise. It was the first time I heard Jordan show any type of courage. Even after I burnt his things and punched him, he wanted to help me.

“Maeven, it’s gonna be fine! I’ll call your mom!”

“What?! No!” I turned to Emily as the cops pushed me into the back of the car. “She’ll kill me! Call my Dad!”

“I don’t have his number!”

“Fuck! Okay, just. . .just don’t worry about it, Em. Okay?” I yelled through the glass. “Don’t call anyone. I’ll call him when I get there.”

As they drove me away to the station, I wasn’t certain of it, but I thought I could see Jordan mouthing ‘I’m sorry’ to me. I shut my eyes and did my best to put my mind anywhere else but here. I wasn’t being arrested. This wasn’t happening. I was with my Dad and my sister in the woods. We were having fun. Everything was fine. It felt like heaven.

That trick never worked, but I still try it to this day.

A week later, I found my box of stuff returned to me on the front steps of my house, along with a note I didn’t have the strength to read. Jordan was officially the bigger person in this equation.

. . .

Without his morning cup of coffee, Jim Hopper couldn’t comprehend the busy sounds of the police station; the ringing of the phones, Flo’s daily notifications about his upcoming meetings, and the occasional pats on his back for just being present before noon. The small coffee machine was a gift from God, he convinced himself. A sip from the strong, fresh-brewed cup of coffee melted away all his sleep deprivation, muscle tension, and lingering hangover; as well as the headache from taking care of a certain little girl whom he shared his cabin with.

Taking a seat at his desk, his vision cleared and focused as he stared into his cup as he added his desired amount of sugar and a splash of the thick creamer. Hopper faced the tower of manilla folders, stacked as high as they could go without tipping over. He flipped open the folder on top before being interrupted by a rapid knock at the door.

“What?” he groaned out. There was never a moment of peace around here.

“Well, good morning to you, too, Hop. Or should I say ‘afternoon?’” Flo let out a laugh. She flopped yet another Manilla file on his desk right in front of him, almost tipping over his coffee. The digital clock on his desk read 3:26 PM in red letters.

“Flo, why would you do that? Can you seriously not see the big stack right next to me?” he whined, palming his face and rubbing his eyes with both hands. Flo rolled her eyes.

“This might just be my personal opinion, Hop, but if you didn’t spend most nights drinking and your mornings nursing your hangovers, maybe that damn stack wouldn’t be as tall as the Empire State Building,” she retorted back at him, hand on her hip.

“You’ve never been out of Hawkins, Flo. How do you know how big the Empire State Building is?”

“Just read the damn file, smartass. It’s the most recent one, anyway. You got a meeting with them in about a half hour, so study up.” Flo had worked with him long enough to know he needed a playfully harsh nudge to get his ass going in the morning. She wasn’t gonna let him get off that easy after showing up late and only working for a couple of hours. And Hopper thought it was the coffee that did it.

Before strutting her way out of his office, she turned to him once more for a final note. “Also, you’re four o’clock is running behind, so don’t expect to be out of here before five tonight, you big oaf,” Flo added, one hand on the doorknob while the other pushed up her glasses. Hopper softly banged his head against the top of his desk in response, pointing to the hot cup of coffee in his fist.

“You want this open or closed?” she laughed out.

“Closed.”

Flo left the door halfway open; a compromise.

The Chief picked his head up and let out a long and therapeutic groan, blindly opening the folder in front of him. He kept his eyes closed for a short moment of calm to officially prepare himself for the rest of the day, however long that ended up being. The contents of the now open file caught his eye, as it was faxed to him all the way from San Diego. How did someone end up in the back-forty of Indiana from the busy city streets in California?

Margaret Maeven Mayfield, it read, a month away from turning eighteen. Hopper could’ve sworn he had heard ‘Mayfield’ somewhere before. It sounded like a distantly blurred name of someone from his military days. Now wide awake, he actually took his time to thoroughly read it in all its details instead of just skimming over the fine print to get each case knocked out as soon as possible. ‘Maeven’ was certainly a unique choice for a middle name. He wondered what it meant.

Despite being reported as being intimidatingly smart and well-behaved by all the staff at her old school and the San Diego police, Margaret had made quite the case for herself as a rebel. Her first arrest was when she was fifteen. The charges, in order, were Domestic Violence, Destruction of Property, Drug Possession, Vandalism, Public Indecency, Public Intoxication, Assault, Inciting a Riot, and Manslaughter. What was even more enticing was that most of all these charges were dropped against the girl, and she was sentenced to community service instead of jail time. Apparently, she was very enthusiastic about her punishment and was rewarded for her work by the community. Who does that? Certainly, not anyone Hopper knows.

Her mugshot emanated an unsettling tone of both heartbreak and terror. She was randomly splashed with blood as she held her name up in front of her, her eyes sunken in. They were dark, both in and under, but still wide as if she had just come face-to-face with the devil himself. She looked so scared. Margaret had a past as wild as Hopper’s entire life had been, and she hadn’t even finished High School yet; expelled from School after her assault, a history of fighting and drug problems, and three months in an In-Patient Mental Institution was enough to grab anyone’s attention, let alone a Police Officer’s.

He knew appearances could be deceiving, but the known victim and suspected criminal looked nothing more than a scared little kid. It reminded Hopper of the Munson boy; practically stolen after his mother’s overdose, both done by the hands of his father, Al Munson. Poor little Eddie just got dealt the wrong cards and had no choice but to accept his place in society as the future resident burnout, both put in place and enforced by the league soccer moms in Hawkins. Hopper wasn’t sure any kid deserved that, even if Munson and Maeven weren’t really kids, anymore. How could someone so young and full of life be accused of so many horrific things?

Jim let his mind wander for a moment back to the times when he himself was a dumb teenager who didn’t know any better. Under the young girl’s circumstances, he could definitely see how and why wrongful accusations could be made against her. He saw himself in the file; a misunderstood kid from the other side of town guilty of nothing but defying their ‘destiny’ and tainting their reputation as a straight-laced good kid. In small towns like Hawkins, you cross a certain street and it’s like a whole other world; divided between the shabby cabins and trailer parks with the so-called ‘town bums’ and the suburbian paradise the soccer moms and their nuclear families shielded themselves within.

The ringing of the phone interrupts Hopper’s thoughts, and he’s suddenly now aware of how he’s been studying the Mayfield file for so long that the red digits on the clock suddenly read 4:32 PM. He huffed out a long sigh before picking up the phone and pressing it to his ear.

“What d'ya got for me, Flo?”

“Mrs. Hargrove and her daughter are here. Should I send ‘em in, or are you still nursing that hangover?”

“Yeah, yeah, send ‘em down. . .smartass.”

. . .

Maeven missed her long hair.

As a child, she wanted nothing more than to have what she, Max, and her parents dubbed ‘princess hair.’ Rapunzel was always her favorite, and she had complained multiple times that the Walt Disney Company was yet to make a movie about her. But she always pictured herself being a wild princess who runs through the woods with leaves and twigs in her hair.

It took her a while to learn how to properly take care of it. She was always so sad when it had to be cut shorter; a result of her failed attempts to grow it out ending in a barrage of too many tangles and knots. After a few too many cuts than she was comfortable with, Maeven finally grew old and patient enough to settle into a good hair-care routine when she was around ten years old.

She loved having so many ways to flaunt her wavy red locks; ponytails, pigtails, braids, and buns. But her favorite way to wear it was to just let it flow down past her shoulders, below her breasts, stopping at the small of her back, so wild and free. Maeven loved the way her partners stroked or tugged on it whenever she was intimate with them. Billy once told her when he fucked her on his lap that running his hands through her hair felt like he was touching the setting sun.

Having Maeven’s hair draped across his body like a silk curtain was one of the only places he felt truly safe. Of course, he had never admitted it aloud to her. It was partially to keep up his tough reputation, but he also didn’t feel like he needed to tell her. Maeven already knew, he could tell. She was always good at reading him.

Maeven’s hair was always the first thing people noticed about her. It was the first thing they noticed about Max and their Mom, too. Besides the blue eyes and the freckles, it was the Mayfield ladies’ defining feature. It was why everyone was so disappointed when she cut it all off so suddenly. One night last February, she woke up from yet another nightmare, a flashback, that someone chased her, hunted her down like a wild animal, and caught her by her hair.

New Year's Eve, 1983 ruined a lot of things for her; parties, drugs, nighttime, and outside, just to name a few. But the worst part of it was no longer feeling safe in her own body. It was the feeling that she was no longer safe being herself. So, acting on sheer impulse and instinct, Maeven took the sewing shears from her mother’s craft room and hastily cut off her long ginger locks until her hair ended up choppy, just below her ears.

She wasn’t sure if she should’ve felt sad at what she had done to herself, or feel relieved now that the cause of her paranoia was severed from her head. All she did know was that she had one less thing to worry about; one less thing that people liked to take advantage of. She didn’t want to be hunted, anymore. She was a little bit safer. . .for now, Even though her emotions weren’t certain, she still cried her eyes out that night.

After letting it grow a bit and finally evening it out, Maeven did her best to embrace her new look. She just decided that she wasn’t going to look at herself in the bathroom mirror unless she absolutely had to brush her hair or put on makeup. It was easier that way; less painful. As the cold, autumn wind passed through Hawkins and made the back of her neck chill that she missed her former length the most. It helped that she never needed a scarf in the winter, as she could always use her hair to cover her neck.

Maeven scratched the back of her neck, running her fingertips over her hairline and short fuzz to soothe herself. She twirled her short locks around her finger and pulled hard; a not-so-healthy way to cure her boredom and keep her anxiety occupied. It was times like this she regretted cutting away her hair the most. The times when she wanted nothing more than to hide her face behind her firey red locks and just sink into herself.

She had slowly gotten used to the constant presence of police since her first arrest at fifteen and all the times that followed afterward. Whatever name you give them, cops, police, pigs, dicks, every officer of the law was different in their own way. Maeven had met maybe a handful of them who actually seemed concerned for her well-being and genuinely wanted to help her. That didn’t make their looming presence any less threatening to her. More often than not, they were the kind to attack first and ask questions later.

Since being discharged from inpatient psychiatric treatment, Maeven did her hardest to appear non-threatening and be on her best behavior, especially around the police. She steered clear of them. Even though she tended to steer clear of everyone these days, she avoided confrontation with police especially. With all the charges that had been brought against her in the years following her first arrest, Maeven knew that whatever was on her permanent record, it wasn’t a flattering portrayal.

The treatment program she went to maybe have helped her with a lot of her many mental issues, but Maeven still felt broken. Even if she recovered, she didn’t feel quite like a human again, and she secretly wished she could just change. It didn’t matter what or who. Honestly? She wouldn’t mind being a rock or a dying star, an animal or an insect. It wasn’t important to her. All that mattered was that she wouldn’t feel like this; being a human was a messy, painful merry-go-round of inconsistencies. It wasn’t worth it, anymore.

Maeven wasn’t sure exactly what was keeping her alive. She felt it getting stronger once they moved to Hawkins, and she was determined to find it. But, for now, her life would just be a mundane and painful routine of various medications, her many coping skills that ranged from healthy to unhealthy, visits with cops and therapists, and trying to stop herself from getting in her own way. It was working. . .slowly. But that's the thing about healing; it isn’t always linear.

She didn’t even hear the receptionist call to her and her mom until she felt her grab her hand in an attempt to bring her daughter along to, . .

“Wait. . .where are we again?” Maeven thought allowed, not even realizing it until her mom looked at her with wide eyes, a mixture of disappointment and concern. It hurt to look at.

“The Police Station, Maevey. You have a meeting, remember?”

Maeven said nothing, her brain still catching up with the rest of the world and the concept of time. She dug her sharply manicured nails into her palms, taking a moment to swallow her anxiety down before smiling and nodding at her mom.

“That’s right,” Maeven silently remembered. After the tour of the school, Neil dropped her and Susan off at the police station. Billy took Max to the arcade and he was no doubt killing time by using the back roads of Hawkins like his own personal race track.

“You were disassociating again, bitch,” the voice scolded.

As her mom gently tugged her along toward the Chief’s office, Maeven felt like the world around her was growing smaller. Technically it was; the walls narrowed as Susan led her down the hallway from the front desk. It wasn’t long at all, or even that narrow. But that’s how it felt.

Susan Hargrove, on the other hand, walked in front of her daughter like she owned the place. Another flaw of Neil’s that rubbed off on her. Maeven wasn’t sure if she should feel scared or safe. She hadn’t felt like she needed her mom’s guidance and protection since she was little. Were either of the Mayfield women themselves, anymore?

Her mom stood halfway through the threshold of the Chief’s office as Maeven mentally prepared herself to remain calm in front of him. This man had access to her file; a collection of her worst moments where she was decided to be bad by people who didn’t know her. He had the power to use everything in that file to make her life worse if he wanted to. It all depended on his impression of her, on whether or not she can do a good job convincing him that she wasn’t the person those documents painted her as.

“I take it you’re Mrs. . .Hargrove? I thought it was ‘Mayfield?’”

“That was my last husband’s name, Mr. Hopper. I remarried this year,” Susan promptly corrected him. Hopper’s eyebrows raised as his eyes narrowed.

“Another Suburban Soccer Mom. Go figure,” he thought to himself.

“Alright, then. C’mon in and have a seat, ladies. I don’t bite,” Hopper gestured to the chairs facing his desk.

“Yeah. You might not bite. But what about you, Maevey?”

Maeven didn’t acknowledge the voice this time but crossed her arms around her middle to hug herself.

She rounded the corner and looked at the Chief. Hopper looked like someone her dad would get along with. Not the sleazy, sexist drunk ones who hovered around him in San Francisco. Out of his police garb, Maeven predicted that he’d be someone’s dad or cool uncle who takes you fishing or cooks you a classic American breakfast. She took a seat next to her mother in her matching leather office chair. The urge to play with and pick at the tears and cracks was annoyingly strong.

Maeven sat so that both her hands were tucked under both her legs, hidden underneath her skirt. She didn’t want her mom to draw any more unnecessary attention to her fidgeting. That was embarrassing.

Hopper couldn’t help but stare at the nervous girl in front of him. She was definitely smaller than he expected, maybe because of the way she carried herself as if she was trying to disappear. No matter how many years he had under his belt as an officer, the cases that involved kids never got easier. In fact, they had only gotten more difficult in the last year. Between Will going missing in a whole nother goddamn dimension and suddenly becoming a parent to a girl again, Jim had a lot to adjust to, lately. And it seemed like he certainly wasn’t the only one.

This girl was too impossibly young to know grief this large. Yet, here she sits in front of him. And even if her files were up to date, Jim had his doubts. He knew that looks could be deceiving, but Margaret Mayfield didn’t look or act like a criminal, much less a bad person. There was just no way.

“So. . .what brings you in today?”

For once, Maeven decided not to count the stains on the carpet or the scratches on the Chief’s desk. Not that she wanted to talk to him, but she just didn’t want to be silent and awkward anymore. In the past, the cops she dealt with before interpreted her silence as a threat, or a confession of her guilt. And she left the school tour feeling oddly confident after meeting Nancy and Steve.

Of course, her mother just had to speak for her.

“My husband called in and spoke with your receptionist, Flora, to make sure you got my daughter’s file from Captain Daly down in San Diego. We just moved here, and we wanna make sure she has a. . .a good relationship with the law enforcement here so that she hopefully doesn’t repeat her past mistakes,” she explained, finishing with a smile on her face.

Susan grew a little too used to assuming Maeven’s feelings. It was fine at the beginning when she at least asked for her permission via a silent nod, but it was more often than not that she just took over and micromanaged the conversation.

“Well, now she just has to pay. Go on, now.”

“No, no, no. Please just stop. Please.”

It took a moment for Jim to process what just happened. He didn’t blame Susan’s daughter for looking at her the way she did, with such frustration and annoyance as she bounced her leg. The psychiatric evaluation in her file did say she suffered from anxiety. Hopper wouldn’t be surprised if this girl listed her mother as a stressor.

“Y’know, I’d actually prefer to speak with Margaret alone, if you wouldn’t minds, Mrs. Hargrove?”

The very thought of her mother leaving the room for a little while lowered the tenseness in Maeven’s shoulders and the air suddenly return to her lungs. She tried not to let it show too much, though. Her mother developed a tendency to notice the little changes whenever her mood fluctuated. No matter how infuriating Susan acted sometimes, the thought of hurting her feelings still broke the young girl’s heart to think about. It was both an impressive and scary hidden talent, like a lighthouse with a giant eye as the light.

“Maybe you should sketch that. It’d look cool,” the voice suggested. Maeven fought the urge to reach for her sketchbook. She could already see the picture in her mind’s eye.

Susan paused for a moment as she processed the Chief’s request.

“Oh. . .sure! Of course! No problem, I. . .” Susan stood up from the chair and placed her hand gently on her daughter’s shoulder. “I’ll just be waiting outside, okay?” she reassured, her eyes turning sad when she looked at her.

Maeven blinked away her idea for a moment to give her mom a half-smile.

“It’s okay, Mom. I’m fine,” she replied, her hand squeezing, then brushing her hand off her shoulder. Susan nodded before walking to the door.

“And it’s Flo, by the way. Not ‘Flora,’” Hop made sure to mention before she had a chance to close the door on her way out.

“Yes. . .of course,” Susan stuttered as she closed the office door. The silence that filled the room after it slammed wasn’t awkward or uncomfortable for once. In fact, it was oddly freeing.

“Thanks. I, uh. . .thank you,” Maeven squeaked out as she fidgeted with her hands just itching to reach for her backpack.

“No problem, kid,” Hopper chuckled before continuing. “My wife was the same way with me and my daughter. She just worries.”

Maeven said nothing, but nodded in understanding, making eye contact with the Chief for about two seconds before turning back to her lap. Hopper could already see that his theory about her being misunderstood in her reports proved to be correct already.

“So, Margaret. Or do you go by ‘Maggie?’” he asked

“No one calls me that,” she said softly. “It’s Maeven.”

Hopper’s eyes darted back to her file just out of her sight.

“Oh, your middle name. Alright. Sorry,” he reassured. But, again, Maeven said nothing.

“Okay, then. Well, welcome to Hawkins, first of all. You like it?”

“Yeah. It’s okay,” she muttered, bouncing her right leg while swinging the left.

“It takes a little getting used to,” Jim mentioned, continuing his attempt to coax this girl out of her shell. He couldn’t help her if she didn’t talk to him.

“Mmm-hmm. . .” Maeven nodded.

The Chief exhaled loudly through his nose in contemplation, suddenly noticing that her eyes were darting back and forth between her fidgeting hands and her backpack. What did she have in there that was so important? According to her file, Maeven could be nervous about drugs in her bag. Her behavior was, after all, common for a druggie, but Hopper didn’t think that to be the case. Still, he treads lightly.

“I see you eyeing your bag, there. Do you need something?”

Maeven’s eyes darted back to him for longer, this time, her demeanor that of a cornered animal unsure how to react.

“Sorry. Do you mind if I draw?” she asked, shaking her head as if to bring her back to herself.

“Draw? Why?” he asked.

“It, uhm. . .it helps with my restlessness and keeps me focused,” Maeven fumbled to explain herself, almost defensive about her hobby. Hopper shrugged.

“If you promise to answer my questions, I got no problem,” he admitted. He really didn’t care, just a little confused.

She gave him a soft smile before immediately reaching for her bag and pulling out a black sketchbook and a small pouch of pencils, pens, and markers. Swiftly, she turned to a fresh page and pulled out a red colored pencil.

“. . .thank you,” she muttered before getting to work.

“So. . .I got a call from Captain Daly all the way out in San Diego, and he filled me in on your. . .recent situation,” Hopper explained, pausing every so often to observe Maeven’s movements as she sketched. The way her hands moved the pencil across the page was random, both erratic and calm with no clear order or pattern, but still had a sort of rhythm.

“Apparently, you had quite a reputation with your school and the law back over in California?”

At the mention of her past, Maeven’s drawing hand came to a dead stop, as if her mind was somewhere else and had to adjust to his words in her own way.

“He knows, Maeven. He knows how insane you are. One toe out of line and he’ll have you sent to an asylum. And you know what’ll happen then, right? You’ll never be seen again.”

“. . .yeah, I guess so,” Maeven admitted, trying her best to swallow her obvious fear of Daly before going back to her sketch. She had finished the basic outline of the lighthouse from a bottom perspective, continuing to draw a giant, graphic eyeball in place of the searchlight.

“Doesn’t sound like you’re too proud about it,” Jim observed.

“I’m not. I never was,” she defended, moving on from the iris to the veins. “I’m the complete opposite, actually.”

She brought the leg she was once swinging up to sit on the chair, almost melting into it. He chuckled softly. Now she was starting to act like a kid her age should.

“Do me a favor and keep your boots off my chair, Maeven.”

He wouldn’t have said anything if he knew that the girl would suddenly switch moods and sit the way a mother would nag her child to.

“Oh! Yes! Sorry, sir,” she apologized.

Hopper mentally scolded himself. She was just started to get comfortable with him and he had to go and ruin it with his big mouth and closed-minded understanding of manners.

“Have you dealt with a lot of law enforcement before, kid?”

“I. . .I don’t have any intention of causing any trouble, Officer, I promise.”

It was clear to him now that Maeven didn’t have an ideal relationship with cops. No doubt due to Captain Daly and his officers. Some of the reports of arrests in her file indicated that she fought(as any other kid would do in her situation) and the officers weren’t exactly.

“It sounds like Captain Daly gave you some hard times. I’m not gonna blame an officer for doing his job, handling your investigation.”

“I know. I don’t either. I know I wasn’t the. . .easiest person to handle,” she confessed, now sketching slowly, moving on to add the details of the lighthouse.

Her attitude toward the situation was delightfully humble, but just as depressing. It was always tragic to see someone so young also filled with so much pain. Jim turned back to her file and skimmed over a couple more pages that mentioned how she gradually started getting into more and more fights throughout the second semester of her failed Junior Year.

“It says here that you’ve had some. . .bad luck with others. And that you’ve dealt with behavioral issues. But you’re on medication now and have been managing your impulses.”

“Mmm-hmm,” she nodded, not looking up from her page.

“That’s not something to be proud of, Maeven. You shouldn’t have to rely on pills to keep from hurting yourself and fucking everything with a heartbeat.” the voice scolded in her ear.

“I don’t do that,” she argued against it, shaking her head free of those thoughts.

Hopper looked at her list of medications on her medical records, including the trials and tribulations of finding the right pills that worked for her. It couldn’t have felt too good to have to take that many pills so often.

“So. . .why don’t you tell me what happened, Maeven? Tell me about yourself,” he suggested as she relaxed her shoulders and continued to sketch. Jim didn’t want to pry. Even if it’d been a while since her incident and recovery process, she was still clearly fragile about it.

Maeven shrugged as she finished coloring the red roof of the lighthouse.

“What is there to know? You have my file. You know exactly what I am,” she pouted. It was strange to Jim that she could switch from being a mature young lady to a frustrated child so easily and quickly.

“No. I can’t really say I do,” he gently argued with her. After pausing to take a look at her sketch so far, Maeven shut her book, tapping and scratching her nails against the cover.

“Look, I know that I haven’t made a lot of good choices in the last few years. I know I’m pretty crazy, too. And I know that’s not an excuse and you have no reason to believe me, Sir, but I’m very sorry and I don’t wanna get in any kind of trouble again, and I-”

The longer she talked, the more discombobulated her movements became, and the more frantic and anxious Maeven appeared to Hopper. Her leg shakes as the tapping of her nails on her notebook turned more rapid. It became clearer to him that when Mr. Hargrove called in to say this girl was extremely fragile, he wasn’t kidding.

“Woah, okay. Just calm down, kid. Enough with the formalities,” Hopper held out his hands as he spoke as if trying to show an abused house pet that he meant no harm; the act made Maeven suddenly realized she needed to breathe in between sentences.

“Stop calling me ‘sir,’ Maeven. ‘Makes me feel like a Grandpa,” he laughed, holding out his hand as he awaited a shake. “It’s Hopper. Jim Hopper. My friends call me ‘Hop.’”

“Okay, uhmm. . .Thank you, si-I mean Hop,” she tripped over her words as she accepted his offer for a friendly handshake. “Nice to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you, too, Miss Mayfield.”

It had been a while since Maeven interacted with an adult this way; just a casual, friendly interaction between two fellow adults. The chief’s handshake was firm with respect and emanated a familiar warmth. It reminded her of her Dad.

“Don’t worry. I won’t make too big a deal about this. I won’t let your troubles follow you into Hawkins if that’s what you want. But that also depends on you and your choices from here on out, you understand?”

“I do, yes,” Maeven smiled, feeling a small sense of pride that she thought died on New Year’s.

“Thought so. You seem like a smart kid. Took a look at your grades from Newport. Said you almost broke some record at their school for scoring so high on the SATs.”

“Yeah. . .it’s not that big of a deal,” she laughed, humbling herself again as she looked down at her tapping nails on her sketchbook.

“It is in Hawkins, kid. Trust me,” Hopper playfully argued. He wasn’t exactly wrong, either. Even back when he went to High School, a lot of his graduating class was made up of jackasses that didn’t know their ass from their elbow. The more academic ones ended up leaving Hawkins for better opportunities. Joyce could’ve been one of those people, too. But she was happy where she was. That was the kind of future he knew Maeven could reach. She was too good for this place.

“Not a lot of our kids have that kind of potential. I’m sure you’re gonna be fine,” he finished.

Maeven wanted to accept his compliment, but the voice inside her wouldn’t let her.

“He’s lying to you. He’s just trying to be nice,” it taunted, disguising it as a warning, she was sure.

“So, we both know what your file says. But I wanna hear it firsthand. You wanna tell me about what happened to you?”

Again, Maeven could only speculate what was in that manilla folder. She remembered a meeting with Captain Daly and her mother where he slammed her case file on the table of the interrogation room. She couldn’t bare to look at it. It was painful enough watching Susan read it through the gasps and sobs. She was sure that reading it herself would tear her very soul apart more than it already had been.

“He already knows. Stop buying pointless time and just get it over with. It’ll be easier.”

Chief Hopper wasn’t Captain Daly, though. He wasn’t like any of the other police she dealt with in the past. The ones who blamed her for her fate and tried to turn her into the villain. The ones who didn’t hesitate to draw their weapons on her when they found her bleeding and begging for help in the forest.

No. Hopper was different. Maeven knew he couldn’t fully comprehend what she went through. She lived through what most people would find unimaginable. But Hopper at least had more empathy and a sense of emotional intelligence than any cop she’d crossed paths with.

“Uhm. . .I’d rather not, if that’s okay? Not yet, at least.” she asked, hoping her instincts were right, switching from tapping her sketchbook to scratching the back of her hands

Hopper frowned at the sight. Maeven’s nails were so sharp that her hands were red and threatening to break out in blood.

“I get it,” Hopper said to her. “It’s the first meeting. You’re a little on edge. I have you back here next Sunday, right?”

At the sound of his voice, Maeven ceased her scratching.

“Mmm-hmm,” she nodded, letting out a sigh of relief at his understanding. Hopper returned her nod before handing her a slip of paper he had just signed; a weekly attendance sheet that she would eventually show to her mom and Neil so they’d know she was ‘improving.’ She would probably get another one from the school counselor tomorrow.

“Just focus on getting yourself adjusted to Hawkins for the next seven days and then we can talk about your. . .situation,” Jim told her, once again treading lightly.

“I can do that,” Maeven agreed, tucking the piece of paper beneath the cover of her sketchbook.

“Alright, kid. You’re dismissed,” the chief said with a small wave of his hand. “Besides, I’m sure your mom’s probably anxious not having you around,” he joked, sure of himself that he wasn’t overexaggerating.

Maeven slipped her book and pencils back into her backpack before zipping it shut, scrambling out of her seat as she walked towards the door and pulled the knob. Before exiting, she took one last look at the Chief, still glancing at her file.

“Officer Hopper?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you. I. . .I really appreciate it,” she stuttered out.

“Anytime, Maeven,” Jim smiled back at her. As he watched her leave his office, he couldn’t help but be reminded of the little girl who awaited his return at his cabin in the woods. El and Maeven would get along well.

. . .

A/N: Sorry for the delay in this chapter coming out. I had to split it up so it wouldn't be too long. That doesn't necessarily mean that I don't like writing chapters at a longer length, but 20-25 pages is my comfort zone. I usually start by just outlining a chapter with all the dialogue I want to include and build the actions and descriptions around that.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! The next one shouldn't take as long as this one did as I already have all the dialogue written out for it. I'm writing both chapters five and six at once. Please be sure to leave some kudos and comments, as they are my lifeblood and are incredibly helpful whenever I need inspiration. I'm glad that people seem to be resonating with Maeven. She's definitely the hardest I've worked on when it comes to all the characters I've created over the years.

The Spitifre Curse Taglist:

@yaidothat

Let me know if you'd like to be added to the taglist!

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nerdygirlramblings · 6 months ago

Text

a continuation of this

poly!141 x f!reader

The first time you meet Laswell, the boys aren't sure what to expect. They'd just gotten back from a mission that left Gaz on crutches and Soap with a concussion.

You're a prickly thing, but incredibly loyal, and you're pissed that your boys got hurt on one of her operations. So when she shows up on base demanding a meeting with Price to debrief, you catch wind and slip into the office before anyone else.

You're already seated on the leather couch in Price's office when the boys show up, trailed by Price and Laswell. One look at your face, and Ghost cuts his eyes to Price, murmurs, "Maybe we should wait this one."

Laswell's cagey. She didn't get where she is without being completely aware of what was going on around her. She clocked you on the couch, hackles raised, before she fully stepped foot through the door.

Instead of ceding to Ghost's suggestion, or trying to play off her appearance, she turns to you and says, "You must be Maverick. The guys have told me a lot about you."

You look her over, long and slow before responding. "Funny. They haven't said much about you. Laswell, is it?"

If she startled by your brusque nature, she doesn't show it. Instead, she merely replies in the affirmative.

"Your mission caused my boys to get hurt," you say, calm and deadly.

"Maybe if we'd had you on backup, it wouldn't have happened," Laswell says, cutting her eyes at Price, who drops his gaze. You notice the motion and frown slightly, a furrow between your brows. Laswell sees and raises her eyebrow at you. "What, Price didn't tell you I asked about you? Saw your record and thought you should be brought on?"

Now it's not just you looking over it Price, but the rest of the boys as well. "That true Captain?" Gaz asks.

Simon merely grunts and looks away.

"Look," Price says, "we haven't worked with Maverick in the field yet." Here he turns to you. "I didn't want to throw off our rhythm by-"

"Oi! 'at's shite!" Soap nearly shouts. He waves a hand in your direction. "She fits perfectly in our rhythm. Cap'n." He glares hard at Price, conveying all the ways you fit them. "'Avin' 'er on scope might-a kept Gaz off-a them crutches," he continues heatedly.

Laswell clears her throat and all eyes cut to her. "Soap's right, John." She says it with the same authority Price delivers orders in the field, and you begrudgingly respect her for it. Looking between you and the boys, she says, "I think I understand why you didn't want to ask Maverick last time, but I'm taking the decision out of your hands." She looks over at you critically, but as someone appraising a new tool to determine how best to wield it. "Maverick, as of today, you're officially part of the 141."

main masterlist

#cod #poly!141 #poly!141 x reader #tf 141 #tf 141 x reader #johnny mactavish #john price #simon riley #kyle garrick #kate laswell #nerdygirl says #spitfire soldier

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tzimiscequeen-blog · 1 year ago

Text

In the Heart of the Flames

Chapter 4

Synopsis: A little morning happiness with Heat and Jinjer

Additional Tags: AFABReader, She/Her Pronouns, sugary cuteness

WC: 2100+

Available on AO3 (can't get it to link)

You both fell asleep rather quickly. You didn’t wake up at all while you slept. Not even when Bea knocked on your door, she was afraid you either didn’t make it home or were sick. So when you didn’t answer she opened the door and smiled. She quietly entered and gave you a kiss on the forehead.

“You deserve this honey. Stay in bed as long as you like,” she whispered to you then tried to pull the sheets back up, but Heat was just too heavy. You were wrapped up in the sheets with his naked body draped over you.

“Oh my, you are a big boy,” she whispered to herself with an amused chuckle and left the room.

You awoke the next morning more refreshed than you remember ever feeling. You managed to unwrap yourself from the sheets and Heat without waking him. You admired him a few moments. His loose bun had partially fell out of the hair tie and was splayed across him and the pillows. His breaths were deep and you were surprised he wasn't a loud snorer. It almost sounded like the rumble of a fire burning, but very soft. You were happy you weren’t the only one who drooled in their sleep and gave him a kiss on the cheek before you headed to the kitchen to start coffee for you and Bea.

You realized it was already light outside and cursed that you over slept. You noticed a note on the table.

Jinjer,

Coffee is made, just reheat it. I left some biscuits for you and Heat and there are eggs in the fridge. I’m taking the kids to school and should be home soon. I hope you had an amazing sleep. Love you and see you soon.

Bea

You rubbed your face and felt your cheeks flush. She knew Heat spent the night. You never had someone spend the night, mainly for safety purposes, so this was new and embarrassing.

You began to reheat the coffee and pulled out the jam, marmalade, and lemon curd then placed them on the table. You then pulled out the eggs, cheese and some leftover ham from two nights ago. You diced up some onion and peppers and some of the ham when you heard feet shuffling behind you.

‘Morning, love,” Heat yawned and gave you a sleepy hug from behind. He had put his pants back on, but nothing else. His hair was fully down and somewhat straightened.

“Good morning baby,” you said as your sleepy brain still wasn’t awake enough to filter your words.

“Mmmm, baby. I like that,” he said as he kissed your cheek. You smiled then turned and gave him a soft kiss on the lips.

“Good, cause I like saying it. You want an omelet?” you asked as he snuck a green pepper and popped it in his mouth.

“Yeah, sounds good. You can put all that in,” he said with a lazy gesture to the ingredients, grabbed the fuller cup of coffee and plopped into a chair at the table.

“Come here a minute, love,” he said as he opened his arms.

You smiled and walked to him as he pulled you across his lap and gave you a deep kiss. You giggled at his playfulness and the joy this little scene brought you. A taste of domestic bliss you could only dream of.

“Did you sleep well?” you asked as you kissed his cheek.

“Like the fucking dead. Best sleep I’ve had in a long time. How about you, love?” he asked as he nuzzled into your neck.

“Same. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever slept so good. I somehow got wrapped up in the sheets and you were draped over me. You do run hot in your sleep,” you replied.

“Told ya,” he smiled. You looked into his eyes and studied his face. He seemed genuinely happy.

The door opened and Heat instinctively gripped you tighter and turned you away from the door but relaxed when Bea entered.

“Oh, you’re both up. Good morning dears,” she smiled as she took her light jacket off and hung it up.

“Good morning Bea,” you and Heat both said almost at the same time and you both laughed.

The older woman walked over and gave you and Heat each a kiss on the cheek.

“You two look quite at home, though I think we may need to get you a bigger bed dear,” she said with a wink. Your face turned red and Heat just chuckled.

“It’s up to this one if I get the privilege of spending the night again,” he said as he tickled your side. You giggled before you shimmied your way off his lap to keep working on breakfast.

“You sit your butt down. I’ll finish this,” Bea replied as she lightly tapped your hand and took the mixing bowl.

You knew it was futile to argue with her so you grabbed your coffee and sat next to Heat who leaned over and gave you a kiss.

“You might also want to get a lock for your door. While I got a nice view, I don’t think you’d want the kids bursting in and seeing your naked boyfriend,” she said over her shoulder as she began to prep the omelets.

Heat let out a hearty laugh and you hid your head in your hands from embarrassment.

“Sorry for the show, Bea,” Heat said.

“Oh, no need. It was a lovely sight. You’re not just big in height. If only I were a few decades younger,” she cackled.

“I’m sure you’d give me a run for my money in your heyday,” Heat laughed back.

“Fucking kill me now, please. I’ll be right back. Maybe after I go to the bathroom I can flush myself,” you grumbled as you got up and headed to the bathroom.

Heat began to put some lemon curd on a biscuit when Bea turned to him.

“Thank you. Behind the embarrassed grumbling, I’ve never seen her so happy and I’ve cared for her since she was born. You specifically, but that whole crew of yours are so good for her,” she said.

“You’re welcome. She’s a pretty special woman. She hasn’t shared her past, but I can tell a lot has happened, not unlike my own life. It’s amazing that she can still find happiness,” he said as he took a bite of the biscuit.

“I know you’ve only known her a little over a month, but I’m not blind. Are you in love with her?” she asked. It wasn’t a harsh tone, more curious than anything.

Heat choked on the biscuit and washed it down with some coffee.

“Heh, honestly…yeah. I know we aren’t gonna be here for too much longer and I don’t want to hurt her. It’s not fair to her for me to spring that on her and then leave,” he confessed as he took another sip of coffee.

“Then take her with you. I know that hot headed captain of yours is fond of her too. Don’t say he or the others aren’t,” she said.

“We can’t take her with,” he replied.

“So you just want to break her heart and leave? That girl has been through a hell most can’t even fathom, though I’m sure you have experienced similar. You want to take away her happiness,” Bea accused.

Heat’s face became firm and his tone serious.

“I would never do anything to hurt Jinjer. I would take her with in a heartbeat, so would the crew, but you and the kids need her. Most of us were orphans who never knew any of our family so we made our own, with each other. You and the kids are her family, her blood siblings are here. None of us can take her from you in good conscience,” he held firm though tears began to form in his eyes.

Bea smiled and put her hand on Heats shoulder.

“You all have also become her family in this very short time. She’s never took to people like she has you all. We will be fine. We would miss her terribly but we in fact would be safer without her here. It’s not my place to tell you why, but know that we would survive just fine if she were to join you,” Bea almost pleaded with him.

“I…that’s not my call to make. She needs to ask and Kid has to agree,” he began to calm and wiped the tear from his eye. Bea smiled and nodded.

“Until then, be there for her. Spend as many nights with her as you can. Let her see how much you and that crew care for her. You’re a good man, Heat. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise,” she patted him on the shoulder and began to cook up the omelets.

You returned having used the bathroom, brushed your teeth and swapped your shorts for a pair of pajama pants.

“You two done flirting?” you asked with a smile.

“We’ve decided my eyes are only for you, love,” Heat said as he pulled you in and kissed you.

You giggled and returned the kiss then sat next to him. You held your coffee in one hand and the other rested on his thigh. He rested his hand over yours and gave it a small squeeze.

“You two have plans today?” Bea asked while she cooked.

“Quincy wants to take me shopping. She says I need to tell the world to fuck off and wear what makes me feel good,” you laughed and took a bite of the biscuit Heat prepped for you and smiled at him.

“That sounds like her. She’s kinda the fashionista on the crew, along with Wire,” Heat chuckled.

“Wire! Wire is into fashion?” you asked.

“Yeah, I know. He doesn't look it. But trust me you take him shopping, he will pick out stuff you never thought to wear but you’ll look like a fucking king…or queen,” he added.

“Do you think I should ask him to come with?” you asked, unsure.

“Yeah, ask him. He can be moody sometimes, so be prepared for him to say no,” he said as he took a bite.

“I’ll ask him when we leave,” you said.

“Well, you need a new wardrobe dear,” Bea said as she handed each of you your omelets.

‘Bea!” you yelled.

“It’s true dear. You need to stop hiding behind those clothes. The ones you have aren’t going to protect you from someone who wants to take you, by force. You know how to fight back. Henry taught you, well might I add,” she said.

You grumbled and picked at your food.

“Wear what makes you feel good. Forget those scars. Pretend they aren’t there if you have to. If you want to walk around in lingerie all day, do it. No one has a right to touch you no matter what you wear. If it makes you feel good about yourself, do it,” the old woman proselytized.

“Here, here!” Heat agreed as he held his coffee mug up.

“You know you’re in rare form today Bea. You’re usually not so vocal about this stuff with me,” you grumbled in your coffee.

“Well, maybe it’s because Heat can back me up and get you out of that shell of yours,” she chuckled.

“I agree with Bea. You’ve seen our crew. We don’t care what we wear. We dress how we want to and what makes us feel good,” Heat squeezed your hand.

“Fine, but only a few pieces. I don’t have the money to spend on a whole new wardrobe,” you conceded.

Bea gave you a knowing look and you waved her away.

“Well you two love birds enjoy breakfast. Let me know when you leave,” she said as she kissed you both on the foreheads and headed upstairs.

“She’s a riot,” Heat said as he ate.

“She’s definitely spunky,” you replied.

“She’s not wrong though, love. I understand the need to hide behind clothes, but I want you to know that you don’t need to. The people that matter, care about you no matter what you look like,” he said.

“I know she’s right. I just…these scars could be used against me, against them if the wrong people see them and put things together,” you explained.

“We can figure out a way to hide them when you are around a lot of people in lighted areas. Like a jacket or something. You can take it off when you feel you are in a more comfortable place,” he suggested.

“That’s not a bad idea, baby,” you smirked.

“I come up with the best ideas,” he chuckled.

The two of you finished your breakfast and you offered for him to shower but he politely declined, siting that he wouldn’t fit in your shower. Which you agreed. He waited while you showered and dressed.

#one piece #kid pirates #heat x reader #op heat #one piece heat #sassy old ladies are the best #spitfire old ladies #embarrassed by your mom #domestic bliss

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navybrat817 · 2 years ago

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Jump Scare

Pairing: Motocross!Bucky Barnes x Female Reader Summary: You get quite the jump scare during a movie night with Bucky. Word Count: Over 2.8k Warnings: Implied sex, scary movie (violence), jump scare, prank, scary vibes, slight feels, established relationship, swearing, Bucky Barnes (he's a warning, okay?). A/N: Fic #9 for Navy's Trick or Treat Nonsense! A bit further down the line for Hothead and Spitfire. @tavners, @maskedmistress87, @drabblewithfrannybarnes, this did NOT go the way I wanted it to, but that's okay!❤️ Edit: Also submitting for @witchywithwhiskey's Horror Movie Hoe-A-Thon with "What's your favorite scary movie?". Not beta read and written on my phone, so any and all mistakes are my own. Divider by the talented @firefly-graphics. Please follow @navybrat817-sideblog for new fics and notifications. Comments, reblogs, feedback are loved and appreciated!

The sound of the basement door creaking open permeated the air in the otherwise silent house, fear paralyzing the soon-to-be victim who hid under the staircase. Terror mounted with each heavy footstep, as if they were a countdown to her impending doom. The masked assailant surveyed the dark space with his sharp knife in hand, still stained with the blood of the girl’s boyfriend who tried and failed to protect her. She covered her mouth as the killer got closer, her nostrils flaring as she desperately tried to keep from making any sounds. Maybe there was a chance he wouldn’t find her.

Her prayers were seemingly answered as the killer began to walk back up the steps, daring her to crawl out from her hiding space once she thought it was safe.

The bloodcurdling scream she let out as the knife plunged into her chest a heartbeat later was the last sound she ever made.

You stifled a yawn as you stared at the television, red light from the screen illuminating the darkened room as the killer stabbed his victim over and over again. “Why do people in horror films immediately pop their heads out when they think the killer’s gone? Do they just think they gave up? Or that they outsmarted them somehow?”

Bucky chuckled as he threw an arm over your shoulder. “I think that’s one of the rules of those films.”

“Which part? Running into a terrible spot where the killer is inevitably going to find you or thinking the coast is clear when it isn’t?”

“Both,” he replied.

You huffed and grabbed a handful of popcorn from the bowl in Bucky’s lap. You had to hand it to him. When he asked you over for a movie night, you figured it was an excuse to get in your pants. So when he invited you in and took you to the living room instead of the bedroom, it both surprised and disappointed you. It wasn’t that you wanted sex to be the main thing between you two. You enjoyed talking to him.

But, fuck, was he amazing in bed and you were only human.

Your new boyfriend, which was both exciting and nerve-wracking that it was official, had set up a few blankets and pillows on the couch so you’d be comfortable while watching the films. He shut off the lights to create, in his words, a spooky ambience. There was no reason not to indulge him. He even had a couple of your favorite snacks nearby so you wouldn’t have to get up and go to the kitchen.

Who said motocross riders couldn’t be a little bit romantic?

Bucky took your hand after you finished your helping of popcorn and slowly licked the salt and butter off one of your fingers. The cheeky little shit smirked when you sharply inhaled. “What’s your favorite scary movie?”

“You’re really asking me that right now?”

“Just curious,” he said, gently licking your middle finger when you held it up in his face. It was difficult not to feel aroused with his amazing tongue lavishing you with attention. “Are you giving me the middle finger to insult me or is that a promise?”

“It’s both. Fuck you and fuck you, Hothead,” you said, gasping when he lightly nibbled the tip.

“That can be arranged,” he smirked.

He isn’t romantic. He’s horny just like me.

“See? I knew there was a reason other than movies for having the blankets out here,” you smiled. You knew deep down he wanted you to stay the night. The man was a cuddler. “As much as I joke about some of the cliches, I like a lot of scary movies. The jump scares are always fun, especially when you don’t see them coming.”

“Name one movie,” he said, finally allowing you to take your hand back as he shifted to face you more. Neither of you were paying attention to the movie on the screen now. “Just one.”

“Okay,” you said after a moment, one recent film you watched popping up in your mind. “I like ‘Ready or Not’.”

His brows pinched a bit. “That’s the film about the bride getting hunted down by the groom’s Satan worshiping family, right? Why that one?”

You lifted your chin and looked back at the screen momentarily. “Grace was kind and caring, but also determined and resourceful. She was a survivor and I found it easy to root for her,” you replied, avoiding Bucky’s gaze when your voice softened. “At the root of her character, she just wanted to be part of a family.”

It was one of the reasons you moved to town. There was nothing for you back home. Friends didn’t stick around, some wrote you off because of your outspoken attitude, and things went south with Frank. Bucky was aware of all of that. It almost sounded like you ran away, but you didn’t see it that way. You made a choice to change your path for the better.

And thanks to Natasha, you not only met Bucky, but made other friends as well.

A soft kiss to your temple made you jump a bit. “You see yourself in Grace, don’t you, Spitfire?”

You swallowed, not wanting to get emotional. It was almost unnerving how Bucky could take down the bricks of the inner wall you sometimes built up. “I guess I do,” you whispered, clearing your throat. “But if you marry me one day and you try to sacrifice me so you can keep winning races or whatever, I will haunt your ass forever.”

Bucky’s nose scrunched as he laughed, bringing a smile to your face. “Listen, we both know if I’d try to sacrifice you that you’d knock my ass in the dirt,” he joked. You were glad he went along with the humor you shifted to instead of delving into a deep discussion. You could save that for another day. “And I wouldn’t do that anyway because I’d fight beside you.”

His declaration spread warmth from your chest as you snuggled close. It meant more to you than he knew. “Keep saying sweet things like that and we won’t make it through the next movie.”

“I’ll say all the sweet things you want,” he promised, resting his head against yours. “I actually did have an ulterior motive for movie night.”

I knew it.

You narrowed your eyes even though you directed your gaze at the television and not him. “Well, you have to tell me what your motive was.”

“I wanted to watch scary movies with you in the hopes you’d get a little scared and cuddle in my lap,” he admitted, the screams from the speakers not affecting either of you in the slightest. “But I should’ve known you don’t scare that easily since you’re a badass.”

It was so endearing that you couldn’t help but smile. “Being a badass doesn’t mean I don’t get scared. I’ve just seen most of these films. I know what’s going to happen,” you said. You weren’t usually the type to jump out of your skin, especially since they were movies and nowhere close to reality. “Would you like me to pretend I’m afraid? I can do that.”

He sighed and you could easily picture the pout forming on his stupidly handsome face. “It isn’t the same when I know you’re faking it.”

“That’s what she said,” you said, making him snort as you moved the bowl of popcorn from his lap and scooted closer. “And I can easily pretend that you’ll keep me safe from the scary masked killer who isn’t actually here because he’s on television.”

“Now you’re just making fun of me.”

“He’s walking slowly and he’s managing to catch up to the girl running at full speed because of reasons. Wait! She tripped over nothing. He’s going to get her! Oh, no!” you cried before you hid your face in his chest, which rumbled when he began to chuckle. You didn’t lift your head immediately since the whiff of cologne you caught distracted you. He always smelled so good. “See? Easy.”

“That’s not very believable, but thank you for trying,” he teased before the room got quiet. “What the hell?”

“What is it?” you asked, turning to look at the television. The screen was black now, leaving the room darker than before. “What happened to the movie?”

“I don’t know,” he said, glancing behind him. “Maybe something happened with the connection. I’ll be right back.”

“You know you’re never supposed to say that. One of the horror movie rules,” you said, moving back to give him room to stand and checking your phone for messages. The light from your screen gave you a chance to catch a glimpse of his abs through his shirt when he stretched. It tempted you to pull him back down beside you. “But I’ll send a search party if you don’t come back in ten minutes.”

“How generous of you,” he said, tilting your chin up as he leaned down. “I’ll be right back,” he whispered against your lips.

You barely brushed your lips back against his in a kiss before he left you alone. “You said it twice. I’m not responsible for anything that happens to you!”

A minute passed by as you mindlessly scrolled through an app. You felt a little bad about your teasing, even if Bucky didn’t say it bothered him. You didn’t scare easily, but you could’ve allowed yourself to be a bit more vulnerable. All he wanted you to do was turn to him. When he got back, you’d do just that.

But a few more minutes passed and he still hadn’t returned.

“Bucky? It hasn’t been ten minutes, but I’ll send the search party,” you said, looking behind you when you didn’t get an answer. You still couldn't see much of anything. “Bucky?”

THUD.

It sounded like Bucky fell to the ground in another room. At least, you thought it was him. “Are you okay?” you called out, using your phone to light a path as you got up and left the room. “Do you need help?” you added, flipping the switch for the hallway light.

Which didn’t turn on.

If this were a horror movie, his body would either fall out of a ceiling somewhere or he’d be the killer.

“Of course,” you mumbled to yourself as you slowly walked down the hall. You were familiar enough with Bucky’s place, but it almost felt empty and cold as you searched for him. The wind picking up outside only made the unsettling feeling grow. Why wasn’t he answering you? “Bucky, come on. We can just watch a movie on my phone.”

BANG.

You jumped when the office door slammed shut, a nervous laugh bubbling up as you took a step toward it. “Well played. You got me to jump,” you said, hesitating as you reached for the doorknob. There was something red smeared on it. No way was that blood. It couldn’t be. “Bucky?”

It’s just a prank, right? He’s fine. He’s perfectly fine.

You pressed your ear against the door to listen for any noises before something slammed against it on the other side, making you jerk back. Your heart admittedly leapt in your throat. You wished Bucky was beside you to hold your hand.

“Okay, Bucky! You win! I’m officially creeped out!” you announced, hoping it would get him to jump out before something hit the door again. “Fine, asshole! Ready or not, here I come!”

The door flew open before you could twist the knob. You held up your phone with a shaky hand and spotted a large figure in the light. He wore what you guessed was a dark robe and a Boogeyman mask, the eyes and mouth completely blacked out. That wasn’t the thing that made your mouth fall open with a scream.

It was the bloody machete in his hand.

Your eyes scanned the darkness for Bucky, worried more about him than yourself. “Run,” the figure whispered, lifting the weapon over his head.

Fight or flight kicked in and you chose to fight, though you didn’t have anything to use as a weapon. “Fucker! What did you do to my boyfriend, you piece of shit?!” you yelled, kicking him as hard as you could in the shin when he got close enough. He hardly budged, but you hobbled back and grabbed your foot as pain shot through it. “Ow, fuck! Are you made out of pure muscle?!”

The Boogeyman dropped the machete immediately. “Shit, are you okay?” he asked in a normal voice as he took out a phone and pressed the screen, the lights in the place coming on a moment later.

You recognized that voice.

Bucky. Fucking. Barnes.

“Bucky,” you said through your teeth when he removed the mask and brushed his long hair from his eyes. “What the actual fuck?!”

“I'm sorry. I was trying to scare you a little, not hurt you,” he said, going to look at your foot. You almost kicked him again. “Is it okay?”

“It’s fan-fucking-tastic, asshole!” you hissed as you hit his right arm with a ringing slap. “Shithead!” you added, smacking his arm again as he laughed. He was laughing at you. “Fucker!”

And to think I felt bad for not acting more scared during the movie.

You tried to get another hit in, but he grabbed your wrist before the blow landed. “Easy, Spitfire. Okay, I deserved a couple of hits. It was a stupid joke.”

“So stupid,” you snapped when the corner of his lip twitched. If he laughed again… “How did you shut everything off?”

“App on my phone for the lights and streaming service. I got ready and hid here until you went to look for me. Though I had to make a loud noise for you to do so,” he said, the humor in his blue eyes almost outweighing his worry. “I really am sorry.”

“And where the hell did you even get this?” you asked, tugging on the robe.

“Remember, all the guys are helping out with that haunted hayride this weekend? We each got scary costumes for it,” he reminded you. All the riders planned to help out, followed by a party once it wrapped up “Are you really okay?”

Your heartbeat returned to a slower pace as you took a breath. There were tons of films where boyfriends pretended to be killers to scare their girlfriends. It was somehow oddly endearing that Bucky did the same thing.

“I’m fine,” you said, even as unshed tears burned your eyes. “But I did think for a moment something may have happened to you. And it isn't like watching you at the tracks when I know there's an element of danger or watching a movie. This was different.”

And that scared me.

“Hey. I'm right here and I’m okay,” he whispered, touching your cheek. “I just wanted to scare you so I could comfort you. I'm sorry.”

Stupidly sweet logic.

“That’s such a guy thing to do,” you said as he gave you an abashed smile. “Okay, I’ll let you comfort me. You’re also going to rub my foot,” you added, which actually felt perfectly fine now, but he didn’t need to know that.

“I’ll give you the best foot massage,” he promised. “You really tried to beat the ‘killer’ up for thinking he did something to me. I’m touched.”

“Well, I didn’t have a weapon, but I’ll aim for the crotch next time,” you teased a little, giggling when he winced. “I guess I’m just as dumb as some of those horror movie victims.”

“You’re not dumb. You’re a badass. And I would’ve done the same thing if I thought someone hurt you,” he smiled, making your heart race for a good reason this time. “And I’m still your boyfriend after this, right?”

You smiled softly, but poked him in the chest for good measure. “Yeah, but I’m not sorry for kicking you in the shin, you can fuck yourself tonight, and I’m telling Nat what you did.”

Because if anyone is scarier than an angry girlfriend, it’s Natasha Romanoff.

“You know, you’re hot when you’re pissed off. Very hot,” he smirked. The vicious glare you gave him didn’t sway him as he gripped the back of your head. “And let’s see if I can convince you to let me fuck you.”

“It’s going to take a lot of convincing.”

You opened your mouth to accept the slide of his tongue against yours and allowed him to press you against the hallway wall. Nat would surely give him a piece of her mind tomorrow for scaring you. Tonight though, you’d let Bucky convince you to snuggle again and sleep with him. Because you had to hand it to him.

He delivered a worthy jump scare.

Motocross!Bucky was sharing a brain with lumerjack!Steve, wasn't he? Love and thanks for reading! 🧡

Masterlist ⚓ Bucky Barnes Masterlist ⚓ Ko-Fi

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oopsiedaisydeer · 3 months ago

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ᴍɪꜱꜱɪᴏɴ ᴜɴꜰɪɴɪꜱʜᴇᴅ

…𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳!𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘬𝘧!𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘺 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯

male masturbation, getting caught, both characters are legal!

Matt is staring at the ceiling, his thoughts a tangled mess of distractions. It’s late, too late for anyone to be up, but he’s wired as usual. His brain’s running in a million different directions… work, missions, the team, but most of all, her.

She’s always on his mind, even when he doesn’t want her to be. He’s used to having her around, their dynamic unpredictable yet oddly comforting. She drives Matt crazy, mostly because he can’t ever figure her out. She’s too sharp, too serious, always so damn cool, and it’s like a challenge every time he tries to get under her skin. But damn if he doesn’t love it.

He shifts uncomfortably, the tension building in his gut. This was supposed to be a quick release, just some time to himself to take the edge off… nothing that would ever come close to making him think about her this way. But here he is, lying in his bed, hand working almost instinctively, thinking about the way her eyes roll when he flirts with anyone else, how her lips twitch when he’s being too smug. He’s imagining her now, arms crossed, that sharp tongue of hers cutting him down, but maybe just a little bit softer, a little less of that icy barrier she keeps up. Fuck.

God, if only she’d just…

The door creaks, and Matt freezes. His head jerks toward the sound, eyes wide as he realises exactly what’s happening, but it’s too late.

There she is, standing in the doorway, looking at him like she’s seen a ghost. No, not a ghost—him. Caught. In the middle of… well, jerking off.

His cheeks burn instantly, and he fumbles to cover himself, but it’s a lost cause. His heart races in his chest, his hand still not entirely free from the sticky situation, but it doesn’t matter now. She’s seen everything, and there’s no way out of it.

She stands there, leaning casually against the doorframe, arms crossed. The faintest smirk plays on her lips as she watches him, eyes flicking between him and the blanket in a way that makes him want to sink into the bed and disappear.

“Um, didn’t mean to interrupt, KF,” she says, her voice dripping with amusement and something else… maybe curiousity, maybe something else, but it’s hard to tell.

Matt clears his throat awkwardly, trying to recover. “Uh, didn’t hear you knock.”

“You really need to lock your door when you do…” She tilts her head, waving her hand at him with that same expression. “This.”

She lingers for just a moment, eyes scanning him in a way that makes his stomach turn. Then, just as suddenly as she appeared, she turns on her heel and walks out. “Don’t worry, I’ll let you finish.”

The door clicks softly behind her, and for a moment, Matt just stares at the empty doorway, blinking in confusion.

He doesn’t know what just happened, but the silence in the room feels louder than before. His heart is still racing, his thoughts a jumbled mess. With a frustrated exhale, he runs his hand through his hair, his body still keyed up from the encounter.

He’s harder now if anything. Leaking precum all over the Justice League issued blanket.

But now, with the lingering memory of her presence in the room, it’s different. He’s not as quick this time, his thoughts scattered, replaying the way she looked at him, how she left so easily. He wishes she’d stayed, just for a little while longer. Maybe she’d be edging him herself then, with her perfectly calloused hands, her long hair falling out of her ponytail as he tugged on it.

More thoughts rush through his mind, and he stifles his groans into his bicep as his hips buck, back arching over the mattress. For a guy with super speed, he’s pretty patient with himself.

When he finally finishes, his breath heavy, it’s not enough to quiet the knot in his chest. The only thing that’s clear is how badly he wants her to come back, to stay for just a little longer, and call him by his actual name, whispering in his ear.

credits to rose for the dividers!! @bernardsbendystraws

a/n: dshbfhjsbhdjs yes please

au taglist: @phone4pills @st7rnioioss @sweetshuga @snoopychris @throatgoat4u @xoxochrissgf @chrislova

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gennyanydots · 11 months ago

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Big Bay Boom

Jake 'Hangman' Seresin x f!reader

Summary: It’s the Fourth of July and your family is spending it with the rest of the daggers in San Diego.

Warnings: vague mention of sex,

Part of the 'Spitfire' Universe

Can be read as a standalone but makes more sense if you've read some of the other stories.

You were learning that being stationed at the same place for an extended period of time came with a few perks. Not having to pack your things every five minutes was a big perk. Settling into your own home. Your husband’s Captain making friends with people who can arrange for your husband’s entire squad to watch the San Diego fireworks show on a ship in the harbor (and then later finding out Mav just asked Warlock and used a picture of your son looking sad and told him he would be responsible for your son’s sad face if he couldn’t make it happen. Where or when Mav got that picture is a mystery).

Getting to see the fireworks without having to fight the crowds sounded like an amazing idea. One year you decided that your family should see the fireworks in downtown San Diego and you quickly learned that had been the stupidest idea you had ever had. Jake and you taking Eli all the way into the city had been a disaster. There were too many people. Parking was a mess. You didn’t find much to eat that a toddler would even like. You were terrified you were going to lose Eli in the crowd despite your husband and you watching him like a hawk. The only person who had a good time was Eli and you had been thankful for that at least.

When Jake had come home the week prior and said the squad wanted to go to San Diego for the Fourth of July you were quick to shoot that idea down. A toddler AND a baby? No. No way. Not even with the extra adults.

Jake promised that you wouldn’t be downtown for the fireworks and that you wouldn’t even be downtown as it got dark. You begrudgingly agreed after you heard the squad decided to go downtown not for the fireworks but to take your children to the zoo. It still blew your mind that your husband’s Navy squad cared so much about your children.

When the day came around you packed up your two children along with all the stuff you needed for the day and headed off to the San Diego zoo.

Upon arriving you found the entire squad ready to help get your kids in gear for the zoo. Grandma Penny took your daughter from the car seat faster than you could even get out of your seat. She quickly covered your daughter in a layer of sunscreen before passing her off to Bob’s wife who was so excited to snuggle her. She then wrangled your son out of Bradley’s arms to do the same before passing him right back because nobody could keep those two separate for long except Bradley’s girlfriend who seemed happy to let him hold your wiggly boy.

It definitely helped your anxiety to see so many adults surround your children. Their own security team. You’re pretty sure you heard Javy growl at someone just walking by who just happened to glance in the squad’s direction. You knew in your heart that no matter what Javy would protect your babies forever.

By the time you made it into the zoo, everyone was acting like children from the excitement of the zoo. Poor Maverick had at least five adults yelling at him to get them ice cream before your son and daughter joined in which meant Grandpa Mavvie had to follow through. The day Grandpa Mavvie told your children “No” was the day hell froze over.

You couldn’t help but laugh as poor Maverick tried to wrangle his elite squad of pilots and wso’s as he attempted to get them all ice cream. Maybe one day you should record it so you can send it into “America’s Funniest Home Videos” because you’re positive you’d win.

You felt extra sorry for the poor worker who was trying their best to keep up with everyone yelling out their ice cream order before you quickly pulled out your phone and made everyone come and tell you what they wanted so you could have an accurate count for Maverick. Penny watched the entire ordeal while laughing at Mav as he tried to keep up with everyone.

Everyone finished their ice cream quickly due to the hot day and you were all off again.

Upon seeing the “Skyfari” that went high above the zoo your daughter started to demand going on the “ride” so that’s where you all went next. It ended up being her favorite part of the entire day. Jake decided it was because Ella clearly takes after him and wants to be in the air. You figured she just enjoyed the ride.

You enjoyed what happened beforehand.

Before getting in the little zoo tram car your husband easily folded Ella’s stroller. There was just something about watching a competent man easily fold a stroller and then lift it one handed that was just so attractive to you. You don’t even care that Jake gave you a funny look after he noticed you staring at him after he got the stroller ready for the ride. Maybe tonight you’d be able to celebrate with some “fireworks” of your own with your husband. Fingers crossed.

The zoo took several hours to get through and you were pretty sure you still didn’t see everything. You’re sure you’d have to come back another day to see it all and to go on Ella’s favorite part again since you knew your daughter well enough to know she would demand to go again soon.

You all decided to eat dinner at the zoo since trying to find somewhere that everyone liked that could fit such a large group would be impossible.

Penny decided that she was taking Ella home as you all walked back to your vehicles for the next part of your day after eating. She didn’t feel like staying up to watch the fireworks when she could instead go to bed early which was something that didn’t happen often being a bar owner. Plus one less child to keep track of helped your mama brain. You’re pretty sure Ella would not do well with the loud booms so you quickly agreed to Penny taking your daughter for some extra snuggle time with grandma that your daughter was not against in the slightest. You knew Penny would never play favorites with your children but being a girl mom made it much easier for her to bond with Ella than with your rough and tumble son who’s favorite thing to do at their house was to wrestle with Grandpa Mavvie. Ella was still happy to snuggle with Grandma Penny.

With one less child you moved onto the next part of your day.

Eating at the zoo gave you all just enough time to get to the base so that Jake could show Eli his plane- for the billionth time. Eli LOVED to see his daddy's plane especially since there was a picture of him in it so it was like he was flying with his daddy every time he flew. The other daggers tried to show Eli their planes too but he only sort of liked Bradley's because there was a picture of his teacher in it so it was like his teacher was flying too if Bradley and his daddy were flying together. All the other planes were less fun but he still looked at every single one so he didn't hurt his aunt's and uncle's feelings.

As Eli was occupied you took the moment with everyone else to really stress how someone needed to have a hand on your son at all times while on the ship. You were excited about seeing the fireworks in the bay but you also needed to know that your son was safe.

Maverick just rolled his eyes at you and gathered you into his arms for a hug before kissing your forehead and promising that nothing would happen to Eli and he personally would be the first one to jump off the ship to save him if the unthinkable happened, not that it would ever happen.

Maverick then nodded his head towards Bradley who had your Eli on his shoulders both wearing matching lifejackets, "Rooster didn't want Eli to feel singled out. Also I highly doubt Rooster is going to put your son down any time soon and if he does I don't think he would be on his feet long before someone else sticks him on their shoulders so he can see."

You take a deep breath and nod at his words. You know that none of the daggers would ever let anything happen to Eli, it's just hard to let go.

Once on the ship it wasn't long before everyone was laughing and dancing around to the music that the bay was playing as you all waited for the fireworks to begin. Eli loved watching the drone show that went on before the fireworks.

When the fireworks started you were amazed by how close you really were to them regardless of being a safe distance away. You felt the booms deep in your chest as they went on. From the water you could see the different barges in the ocean that were shooting fireworks off so instead of one show you got to watch multiple. Every few booms you made sure to check where your son was, finding him always on the shoulders of someone. Apparently now was Javi's turn as you see Bradley snuggled up close to his girlfriend much like you currently were with Jake. In fact you could see Bob and his wife in much the same position but when you looked closer you could see Bob's hand lightly rubbing his wife's stomach. He must not have meant to because he immediately stopped and quickly looked around to see if anyone noticed. Upon catching you looking he quickly put his pointer finger to his lips. You winked at him and made the same motion back to let him know you'd keep their secret.

"What was that?" Jake asked you, bending down to make sure you could hear him.

You shake your head, "None of your business. Super secret married people things, you wouldn't know anything about."

Jake groans, "But I am married. To you. I am married to you."

You shrug, "Doesn't mean you get to know. Sorry baby."

You smile as you look around at all the friends around you and lean back against your husband's chest as he holds you tighter. Holidays, including the fourth, are much better spent with your new found family.

#hangman x reader #jake hangman seresin x female reader #jake “hangman” seresin x f!reader #spitfire universe #dad!hangman

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