#using info i gave you out of trust and weaponizing it and calling me a hypocrite for it is fucking gross and messed up

[clovernoir]

I am gonna be mad about that for a long while

[blueberrypancakesworld]

John Walker - In a Relationship

John Walker x fem!reader

warning : kissing, hurt/comfort, fluff, mention of war, weapons, no use of Y/n

info : Finally! I saw the movie and omg I loved it, get ready for a lot of fics about sexy traumatized characters. Plus my fav John Walker that taco shield owner and now enjoy reading :)

masterlist

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

John Walker got a second chance after losing those closest to him and being dropped by the system that had wanted to make him great. But just because his wife was no longer in his life and he seemingly had nothing left, the opportunity with the Thunderbolts was all the greater...and on top of that, you, as his girlfriend, gave him hope for something wonderful.

°Walker may be superhumanly strong, but his heart is in the right place, especially when it comes to you. He would never drag you into one of his missions, never expose you to the danger and the past he had lived through. “You are more important than any mission, you won't get hurt like I did, I promise,” he told you whenever you offered to come with him, and he meant it.

°He was so grateful and wanted to show you his gratitude as often as he could for being there for him even in his darkest times. That you didn't see him as a 'dime store' Captain America, but as the soldier and savior of people he always wanted to be. “Never, John, the costume yes, but you no, you are my dutiful, handsome U.S. agent,” she said, John replied with a smile of flattery and truth.

°Those were words of love and respect, and they were rewarded every time with a kiss on the cheek while his rough, large hand rested on your hip to pull you closer to him.

°During the time you got to know each other, it was difficult for him to 'learn' what it meant to no longer be needed. His fear was understandable and his anger sometimes uncontrollable, but no matter how long and how often he disappeared to train to clear his mind, you waited for him, helped him with his training, and above all, it was he who said “Thank you...thank you for all this, sweetheart” every time. During training, he was the one who kissed you and couldn't have been happier when you kissed him back.

°In general, you quickly noticed that after John turned his back on the government, he could be very protective. Whether it was a call to check on you or a message after every mission when he came back to you, “Just one more mission, sweetheart, I'll be back soon. I love you,” he recorded the voice message before putting on his helmet to go on another “official” mission and somehow find that meaning he had almost achieved.

°You were waiting for him, he had someone waiting for him again, someone who believed in him, and that alone was worth continuing for.

°One of the most beautiful sights for the agent was seeing you cleaning your weapons. As cliché and stupid as it might be, he loved your knowledge, he knew you weren't helpless and could defend yourself, but this sight of beauty and lethality made his heart beat a little faster. “My dear weapon nymph,” he commented as he leaned against the doorframe. Your embarrassed smile spoke volumes, and John, as always, either cleaned his weapons or simply kissed you on the head and let you continue.

°When it came to leisure activities as a couple, it always depended on the missions and the time they had in between. Before Thunderbolts, it was rather difficult to find time for each other, but now, in the new team, there was suddenly more time and more understanding.

°Even Bob found tips in a dating book for his friend to give them some new ideas. “Trust me, just let your soft side out.” John heard his girlfriend say as he looked at the unpainted ceramic bowl. He had never been an artistic person, but seeing how beautifully she painted the bowl, he wanted to give it his best shot.

°In contrast to the colorful bowls that were displayed as souvenirs on the shelf, John insisted on playing football with you and the others as a team, which quickly became not only fun but also a battle for “Title and honor,” as Alexei put it, with John scoring every point like a god.

°In the end, he even lifted you up and carried you across the field. “Only the football queen gets that from her king,” he whispered before gently spinning you around and giving you another rewarding kiss. It was something none of you ever got enough of, because a kiss was simple but just as symbolic.

°Intimate yet brief, quick yet full of emotion, it was all the more important to John to always show you that he still loved you after everything.

°After all, he was still human. He may have been a super soldier, but he was only human. That's why his mind wasn't invulnerable and his nightmares about Afghanistan and what the terrorists had done sometimes kept him awake. “A former Captain America, a super soldier, and an agent, and yet I have this weakness,” he murmured, full of guilt and remorse, as he sat next to her in bed and hated himself.

°Your touch calmed him, allowing him to forget the war and the past. He focused on the present, on what he had, and especially when he had you right there with him.

°As you discovered, it was the little gestures and the things you did without thinking that John appreciated. Your hand on his, a kiss on his temple, a hug, or just leaning on him in bed when his mind was tormenting him. John knew he wasn't perfect, but he had learned enough in the last few months to become better, and with your love and his hope and effort, he would manage to improve himself and, above all, be the best boyfriend he could be to you.

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

@egotisticaleverything , @brisselfshipping , @hoebrowsalad , @littlebean2905 , @lilbit32 , @neska334 , @lillycore , @crimsonkingart

[xoln04f1xo]

He’s a hot-headed street racer, you’re the new cop in town. After chasing him for months, you're forced to work together on a city charity race. Sparks (and tires) fly.

Warnings: implied gun violence, betrayal, tension, suggestive dialogue, jealousy, emotional whiplash

WC: 2.4k

Divider credit: @strangergraphics

Three days. That’s how long it took for everything to go straight to hell.

The case? Off the rails.

Max? Missing.

You? Under investigation.

It started, as disasters often do, with a phone call that wasn’t meant for you.

You’d just returned from a briefing, hair still damp from the rain, caffeine-deprived and two hours into a stress headache when Moreno cornered you near the records desk.

“You’re not gonna believe what popped up on last night’s drone feed,” she said, shoving a tablet into your hands.

You glanced at the paused image: a warehouse rooftop, blurry due to distance, but clear enough to see two figures.

One was Ash.

The other?

Wearing a hoodie. Curled over a laptop.

Same stance. Same curls...

Max.

You felt your stomach drop.

“No way,” you muttered. “That’s not… he’s been feeding us intel. He gave up Ash.”

“Did he?” Moreno asked, voice sharp now. “Or did he steer you exactly where he wanted?”

It didn’t help that a shipment had gone missing last night - vintage cars worth millions, gone without a trace.

And guess who had the layout to the impound?

You, and apparently… Max.

You drove straight to his garage.

It was in an abandoned lot beneath the freeway, masked behind a fake car wash sign and enough graffiti to blend in with the scenery. You’d only been here once, a mistake, after a night chasing leads and hitting dead ends. He’d offered you a drink and a smirk. You’d taken the smirk.

You hadn’t told anyone about that night.

You banged on the side door.

“Verstappen!” you shouted. “Open the damn door or I swear I’ll break it down.”

Nothing.

You kicked it once, and it creaked open on its own.

Inside? Empty. Tools scattered, monitors blinking, a coffee mug half-full on the counter.

He’d left in a hurry.

Or… someone had made him leave.

You turned toward the workbench.

That’s when you saw the file.

Your name on the tab.

You opened it with shaking fingers.

Inside... surveillance photos... of you.

Walking out of precinct. Talking to Moreno. Buying groceries. Laughing at a food truck. One… outside your apartment. At night.

There was a note scrawled on the last page in Max’s handwriting:

I told you not to trust me.

Back at the precinct, they pulled your badge.

Pending review.

Internal Affairs was circling like vultures. Moreno tried to defend you, but even she looked shaken.

“You were with him,” the captain said. “Off the books. That makes you compromised.”

“Compromised?” you snapped. “He played all of us.”

But inside?

You weren’t sure.

Then, the call came.

Blocked number. A voice modulator.

But you’d know that lazy drawl anywhere.

“Meet me,” Max said. “Alone. No wires. Docks, midnight. Come armed.”

You almost didn’t go.

But of course, you did.

Because you're either the dumbest cop on the force or the most loyal, you haven’t decided yet.

The docks were foggy, the air sharp with salt and steel.

You found him leaning against a shipping crate, hood down. No car in sight. Just him. And a pistol hanging loosely at his side.

You drew your own weapon, aiming straight for his chest.

“Hands where I can see them.”

Max didn’t flinch.

“Put the gun down,” he said softly. “Please.”

You hesitated.

Then, slowly, lowered it.

He exhaled, like he hadn’t breathed since the last time he saw you.

“I didn’t steal the cars,” he said. “But I knew Ash was going to. I had to stay close enough to feed you just enough info to build a case... without blowing my cover.”

Your heart stuttered.

“Cover?”

He nodded. “Interpol. Under deep.”

You stared at him like he’d spoken another language.

“You’re telling me… you’re a cop?”

“Technically,” he said. “An asset. They recruited me two years ago. Used my racing ties to infiltrate the network.”

You couldn’t believe it. Wouldn’t.

He reached into his jacket, slow, deliberate and pulled out a folded ID... Interpol.

His face.

Code name: Phoenix.

“Oh my God,” you whispered.

“I couldn’t tell you,” he said. “Not even after you showed up. You were never supposed to be part of this.”

“Then why did you keep talking to me?” you asked, voice breaking now.

He looked at you for a long time. “Because you made me want to tell the truth.”

You stepped forward. Then back again. Conflicted. Your brain trying to keep up.

“Everyone thinks I’m dirty,” you said. “They’re going to bury me for this.”

“No, they’re not,” Max said, stepping close. “Because tomorrow morning, Ash is going to get arrested, and you’re going to walk into the precinct with the USB I give you, containing every trade route, shipment manifest, and coded message he’s used for the last six months.”

You stared at him. “You’re just handing it over?”

He gave a sad smile. “I was never in this for glory. I just wanted out.”

A pause.

“And to maybe see you again… not behind a badge.”

You tried to scoff, but it came out more like a laugh choked with tears.

“You’re unbelievable.”

He nodded. “Takes one to know one.”

You stepped into his space, pushed a finger into his chest.

“You’re still an asshole.”

“And you’re still the hottest person who’s ever threatened to shoot me.”

You hated that your pulse jumped at that.

“Don’t flirt with me right now.”

“Not flirting. Just… trying to memorize your face. In case this is the last time.”

He reached into his coat again and handed you a small drive. Sleek. Black.

“The truth,” he said.

You took it.

And then, without thinking, you grabbed his collar and pulled him down into a kiss — not soft. Not sweet. Fierce. Messy. Desperate.

He kissed you back like he’d been waiting for this moment since the day you first chased him through Crosswell.

When you broke apart, breathless, you didn’t say anything.

You just walked away.

Because if you stayed another second, you might not leave at all.

-> Other Chapters

Click here for more!

Taglist: @livelaughleclerc --- @cmleitora

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[fernnshxj]

Eeeeehhh, okay okay okay!! Info dump time! Hope you ready!!

So, as I mentioned before (I think I have said so before, idk-), Joan will unfortunately pass away from an illness that is incurable in that time (ya know, cancer). She would have tried to figure out a remedy so that she can be back on her feet but it is all in vain. She feels herself getting weaker, it’s harder to take a breath, to move, everything… She does not tell Kuno or Finja, she wishes not to burden them with this. They notice she doesn’t appear as active but she brushes them off.

Fun fact: The veil from her hat not only works to completely hide the details of her appearance but it can also be used as a sort of magical window that can see things the normal eye can’t see, specifically the divine and spiritual. Which means Häxa keeps seeing this one figure in the distance. It is dark, and at first very, very far but not malicious. She ignores it at first but the sicker she gets, the closer the figure is. It takes a while but she realizes who the figure is: Death. Not the one she had fought and killed, no, that one was a mere entity who called itself that. It was not one of True Death’s reapers but True Death herself. She is kind, patient, caring. She keeps getting closer and Häxa realizes she doesn’t have much longer to live, so she writes a letter to her friends. Kuno and Finja get their letters from different crows and the letters go like this:

‘I am sorry. I am sorry but I cannot keep hiding this anymore. I have been getting weaker by the day and I did not have the courage to tell you. I keep seeing her. I keep seeing True Death every time I wear the hat. She is getting closer. I wish I had told you sooner, maybe I would have been more at peace than I am now. This is my last letter to you. I am so proud to have been able to accompany you this far but I am afraid my journey ends here. 

For so long, I was nothing but a shell of my former self. For so long, I have forgotten my name. For so long, I forgot that I was only human. For so long, I forgot I was not a weapon. 

I know we did not get along at first but getting to know you both has been a blessing. You were like a breath of fresh air to me. You gave me life again, even if it didn’t seem like it. You became my family. I will cherish you both as I rest eternally. I wish I had done more for you but now I can only hope that we can reunite in whatever afterlife there is or maybe even in a new life. I hope we meet again.

-Häxa’

And with each letter they got, they got a lotus flower colored their respective colors (blue for Kuno and red for Finja) and a medallion with Häxa’s emblem (or whatever it be called).

Meanwhile, with the last bit of her strength, Joan would have gone to a secluded part of a forest where she laid herself to rest, surrounded by moonflowers. She awoke and was greeted by the sight of a lady so pale with long, black hair and bright golden eyes. She wore a mofuku (funeral kimono apparently!) her whole body covered except her face. She had a smile on her face, one filled with melancholy. She whispers softly ‘It’s time to go’ and extended her hand to Joan. Joan hesitates. She is scared, which is rare for her. She hasn’t been scared in so long... But she’ll see her sisters again… She’ll finally be at peace…

And so she takes True Death’s hand.

-And das what I have so far! Hope you liked this info dump and if it made you cry then good, I achieved my goal! Häxa angst be best angst!-

love me some angst……yeeessss……

did a doodle as well just cuz

miori isn’t scared of dying and she knows people die and she will too someday. but it would probably affect her if one of the only people she trusts dies outta no where. hehe :3

idk why i’m jsut now realizing this is formatted kinda funny apologizes i’m not gonna fix it lazy :3

feel free to gimme more lore if u want!!! i think it’s neat n interesting :3 !,!! makes me wanna lore dump too hrmmm…,.., might

[aita-blorbos]

(edited with lowercase this time!)

AITA for lying to my friends and insulting my former boss?

Greetings Earthlings in my tablet. I do not correspond to this planet’s means of identifying oneself such as ‘gender’ or ‘age’.

So. I used to work for someone who I will be referring to as ‘YD’. This work of mine, it was being fought against by a group of people who I will be referring to as the ‘CGs’. The CGs are the direct enemies of YD, so that made them my enemies. After YD gave me the resources to properly destroy them (which did not succeed), I became stranded on this planet.

I was desperate to get off this planet because there was a geoweapon embedded in its core that would tear the planet apart from the inside. The CGs sabotaged my every attempt to escape and even incapacitated me as I was attempting to bargain with and inform them.

But one of the members, who I will be referring to as ‘S’ , freed me, wanting me to finish what I had tried to say. But I was petty and refused to talk at first.

I grew to trust ‘S’ however, and told him about the danger, believing that he knew a way to stop it. He didn’t know a way but he thought the CGs could help and wanted to tell them. I was reluctant to, but he convinced me. When we told them, for obvious reasons, they immediately wanted to stop the weapon. We planned to work together to build a drill so we could drill to the planet’s core and destroy it. Even though they were my enemies, I needed their help to ensure my survival.

As we were building the drill, I grew to care for the CGs, and them for me. They helped me grow and develop as a person. I saw the beauty and value of this planet. I wanted to destroy the weapon not just so I wouldn't die, but because there is life on this planet worth protecting.

The final step of building the drill involved us going to a communication base to retrieve the latitude and longitude coordinates of the weapon. While we were there, I found a communicator that would reach a direct communication line to YD.

I stole it. I had a good reason for it! We built this drill out of spare parts we found on the planet. Very cheap outdated technology. Our odds of succeeding were very low. I thought that I could use my findings to convince YD to spare this planet

My friends assumed that I had betrayed them. (which is fair). They attempted to stop me at every angle. They didn't even listen to me when I tried to explain! I had to physically fight them off, giant robots got involved (Okay maybe I should have tried harder to tell them my intentions but that's beside the point)

I had activated the communicator and pled my case to YD. And do you know what she said.

She completely disregarded everything I told her!!!! And said very clearly and bluntly that she wanted this planet to die!!!

She then told me that the only way I could redeem myself was to let the weapon grow. And you know what I did?

I refused and called her a clod!!!! To her face out of all things!!!!!!!

My friends congratulated me for this and said I was forgiven and in the right, but I have had some lingering doubts. 'S' told me about this court of opinion and here we are.

AITA?

(edit: I have seen that there has been confusion over the meaning of clod. It means dirt. To call someone as important as YD a clod essentially means I view her as beneath me.)

(edit 2: I have also seen people wondering why we had giant robots on hand. Long story short, it was a competition between me and another CG, 'P' to decide who would lead the drill project.)

(edit 3: 'S' has informed me that I have stirred panic about the Geoweapon embedded into earth's core. Rest assured Earthlings, the threat has been neutralized. We put it in a bubble.)

[byawright]

Rc9gn ficlet 1

Had an idea of Howard getting some magic from Tengu possession and convincing the Nomicon to let him do some magic, quick thing I put together on a road trip so no spell or grammar check lol

Used bleach for the spell.

Howard Weinerman was not one to stress whenever Randy faced an enemy. Sure Randy had a few close calls but he pulled through and was the most stubborn person he knew, he wouldn’t give up.

That was the problem, whatever this machine was McFist, or being more accurate Viceoy, focused in outlasting the Ninja in this fight. Which was going in three hours and Howard could see his friend slowing down.

The robot, which looked like a bipedal hunched over hedgehog, was getting closer if not out right hitting with each attack. The spikes on its back randomly extending with spikes tip tendrils to attack from blind spots.

Howard was getting frustrated, a part of him has been for a while.

he wasn’t a fighter, not like Randy, hell he’d rather be on the side lines but being helpless like this? That was grating especially since Randy can’t get away to check with the ninja nomicon for any aide.

Howard, however, could.

Even if he couldn’t do something active he could pass the knowledge to Randy. So he moved, slipping away from the crowed that had formed to watch the fight and grabbed Randy’s bag.

Once he found a private spot he grabbed the book “alright nomicon I know you don’t like me but Randy can’t get to you for help, so eitheir you open up, shloop me in and let me help Randy or your out a ninja, and more important I’m out my best friend, so open up or no telling what will happen to eight hundred years of knowledge when I pass a fire”

The nomicon seemed to glow lightly, pulsing like it was wrestling with its self so Howard gave another push.

“I have yet to fully hold Randy back right? Or reveal his secret, I’ve slipped yes but never broke his trust like that, and the giant bird possessed me, I’m in too deep, let me help”

Howard swallowed, the larger boy griped the book “please, just give me what he needs to know, I Know I’m not a fighter so give me the lesson he needs”

The Nomicon glowed bright and opened sucking Howard’s consciousness into it as he fell and landed in a stylized Asian temple as words formed infront of him as he lifted him self up.

‘Friendship is a weight a ninja cannot bear’ as a line crossed through it and a new line appeared ‘strong bonds allow for chains to hold down even the greatest beasts’.

As a cartoony lightning bolt formed in front of him and split revealing a marker.

A series of more text appeared along with a poorly drawn arm with the scribbles on it.

“Oh copy this down? Alright I asked for this”

Howard half grumbled there’s a part of him that just wanted to pass info on but… he wanted to help and be more than just the confidant so Howard copied the writing accurately.

“I’m trusting you nomicon, I have no idea how I can see this once I’m out but let’s see how this goes”

Soon Howard was ejected and back in his body as he moved back to where the fighting was, Randy was looking worse for wear more weapons scattered around and the crowed had disappeared.

“Ra- Ninja!”

“How- citizen! Get out of here! The rest are at safety I’ll handle this!”

“Oh how’s that been going for the last three hours?”

“Wha-“

“Eyes front Cunningham! Nomicon hopefully gave me something to help!”

Randy was confused but shrugged it off. Howard was many things but never did him dirty so he focused on the fight once more.

Howard for his part looked where he wrote in his arm the lines formed in his hand writting.

Randy often mentioned how it was like floating text would appear to help him figure things out, so the red head guessed this was the books doing.

“Alright here goes nothing” following the instructions he wrote he held two fingers up, palm facing the robot “You who is crowned with the name of Man, wearing a Mask of blood and flesh, flying on ten thousand fluttering wings, with Thunder's carriage and an empty Spinning Wheel, break the Light into six pieces, carve a twin Lotus on a wall of Pale Blue Flames, and await the Blazing Fires to reach the Distant Heavens!”

As Howard chanted he felt a memory of a memory surface the feeling of the tengu as it took over, but this time he was in control.

A series of fire pillars appeared around him solidifying into thin, wide pillars. With the last word the pillars launched at the robot’s back, pinning it to the ground.

Randy jumped at the opening his sword cleaving through the robot, as it stopped working Randy turned towards Howard.

“What the juice!? Since when could you do that!?”

Howard was wide eyed “about 10 minutes ago? I didn’t check the time but..”

“Hold that thought man, let’s get some food and talk” Randy said as he pulled the mask off and Howard passed the nomicon back ignoring the confused look from the taller boy

“Later Cunningham, you said food and I’m hungry”

The two shared a look and laughed, once in a private corner at the arcade, Howard gave a run down before pointing at Randy “don’t expect me to fight but, saying words? That I can do”

Randy smiled “hey I appreciate the save, and if you can use magic? That’s so Bruce so you do you”

“You think the nomicon will share more or this a one time thing?” Howard asked.

Randy shrugged “i barely know what the nomicon thinks as is, let’s just roll and see how it goes”

“Fair enough”

[zawazawanightmares]

Starfire & Nick Wilde

You, Trans!Starfire, are connected to Nick Wilde Your partner selected the Roleplay server. Please keep the chat clean.

Nick Wilde: (FTM or MTF? Want to make sure I get pronouns right.

Trans!Starfire: Hello, small orange bipedal creature!

Trans!Starfire: (MTF. Thanks for asking.)

Nick Wilde: "Hello m'lady." The fox replied politely "I assume you're part of that 'teenage heroes' group I've heard about? You're certainly an interesting bunch, from what I've seen."

Trans!Starfire: "I am! We are fairly into our late teens but we are indeed the Teen Titans!" The orange-skinned alien happily agreed. "We appreciate being called interesting. I will make sure to share the sentiment with the others."

Nick Wilde: "That's good to know, maybe you can help me out a bit? Our force has been asked to help track down a shady guy..." he got his notepad out, looking up at the other "...and considering your guys' career, you might be able to help us out a bit, hm?"

Trans!Starfire: "Of course! We are always willing to assist in enforcing the nebulous concept of justice!" She smiled. "Who do you need help in tracking down?"

Nick Wilde: "Uhhh, this creepy guy with a mask, apparently he's named 'Slade', and if we find the fuck he's gonna be found guilty for a lloooooooooooooooooot of murders. Would you happen to have seen him in recent memory? "

Trans!Starfire: "Slade...you wouldn't happen to mean "Slade Wilson"?"

Nick Wilde: "I mean...sure? All we got on here is the name 'Slade'. But hey, any info you can give me is good info. So go ahead, spill it out when you're ready!" he started to write down a few details.

Trans!Starfire: She gave him a serious expression. "His name is Slade Wilson but his codename is Deathstroke The Terminator. He has possessed a notable enmity towards our team since the death of his son and our former teammate, Jericho, which he holds us responsible for. He especially is obsessed with conquering our leader, Robin. He possesses peak human fitness, an extensive amount of expertise with different weapons and martial arts and an accelerated healing factor that makes him significantly harder to kill than the average human."

Nick Wilde: "...Oh. Great. Auto-healing." the cop sounded disappointed at that. This guy sounded like he was gonna be a fighter. Not a good sign. "Alright, well he's specifically after you guys. How much trouble has he caused you? Is there a specific way he's attacked? Do you know if he has weaknesses of any kind?"

Trans!Starfire: Starfire frowned. "The thing about that man...he doesn't just rely on his physical gifts. He is quite the manipulative tactician. He once seduced a young woman so that she could enter the team and expose to him our identities. He has also performed calculated attacks on other heroes by analyzing their weaknesses before hunting them. If I would to say he has a weakness, the major one would be his pride. He sees himself as a professional and anything that threatens that image will result in him flying into a frothing, if predictable, rage. He also may have a healing factor but enough damage he will need to slow down to recover from, especially outright mortal wounds. In particular, he seems to be protective of his remaining eye.

Nick Wilde: Nick's ears perked up a bit as she talked, a smile growing on his face. It was clear some gears were turning in his head "Manipulative? A way with words? I ^^think^^ that's something I might be able to work with." he explained as he started to give a rather aggressive underline in his notes. "If he wants to play a mental battle, trust me, I'm up to bat. This wouldn't be my first rodeo with something like that. Surely if this guy is as mentally cocky as you say he is, a little verbal sparring should be a slam dunk with this guy." he put his notebook away, having an attack method. He could manipulate when he really wanted to. Though luckily he rarely if ever wanted to.

Trans!Starfire: "Yes, keeping one's wits about them is the best method to dealing with Slade. He's devious but he is wide open to counterattacks when he's not expecting them." Starfire nodded.

Nick Wilde: "Alright. You're being very helpful...One more question..." he asked as he cracked his knuckles a bit "Would you happen to have an approximate location of where he was last? I think I'd like to have a little 'meeting' with this fellow." the idea of a mental battle was exciting him a bit. Maybe too much, but hey, he wanted to see how this would pan out.

Trans!Starfire: "Hmm...the last time we heard a report about him, he was said to be staying in the general location of a certain...Mr. Big?" Starfire tapped her lips. "We did not recognize the name but I believe he is involved in the local mafia?"

Nick Wilde: His expression changed...quite a bit at that. Mr. Big betrayed him?? How could he? But silver lining; at least that'd make hunting him down easier. He remained calm visually, politely asking "Oh. Deary. Would you happen to know why he's involved with them? They're two individuals that I wouldn't really expect to be connected."

Trans!Starfire: "Apparently, the small rodent sir hired him in order to tie up "two furry loose ends". We're still pouring through his list of former associates to discover who they are so that they can be protected."

Nick Wilde: That couldn't be him, could it? They were friends with his daughter! He would never...would he...? "Well, do you know what these 'loose ends' did that would provoke him to commit such an action? Maybe I could help with that. He certainly hasn't talked to me about it recently..."

Trans!Starfire: "Excuse me, are you associated with him?" She asked. "If so, you are in serious danger. Mr. Big is looking into expanding his territory which involves making allies in higher places. One of those allies is Bruno Mannheim of Intergang. He is the one who told him to cut ties with anyone associated with law enforcement."

Nick Wilde: "WHAT/!?!?!?" he started to internally panic. Bigs couldn't be talking about him. He couldn't. He wouldn't...would he? "I'll just have to talk to Big about it on a one-to-one level. Talking to them separately would probably be my safest bet. Can't talk to both at once. I assume this Bruno guy hates the cops?"

Trans!Starfire: "Um...his Intergang follows something called The Crime Bible...and he is rumored to eat subordinates who fail him. Oh wait, you asked for how he felt about cops. Um...surely not moreso than other criminals?"

Nick Wilde: "...Did you say 'eat' them?" he seemed confused. "You're telling me he threatened to eat Mr. Big?"

Trans!Starfire: "No, just those who work underneath him. And fail him. And taste good with spiced meatballs."

Nick Wilde: "So wait, wait, backup...What creature would you say Bruno is? I need a little context here if you're saying he literally eats other people..." he seemed very confused at this point. Now his plans seemed just a bit thrown off.

Trans!Starfire: "Ah, he is completely human. A mad cannibal but a human nonetheless."

Nick Wilde:  He took a minute to collect himself and absorb the information. He put together everything piece by piece. "Okay, so, let's back up once more; forgive me for being redundant. But I'm assuming Bruno is threatening to eat Mr. Big if he doesn't comply with the 'cutting out cops' thing, would you say that's correct?"

Trans!Starfire: "Oh, I do not know...I do believe Mr. Big has partaken in the consumption of lower levels of the mafia with Bruno, if some reports are to be correct."

Nick Wilde: "Bullshit! How would an animal that small eat other creatures like that?" he was trying to figure the other out. Was she lying to him? Was this a sick joke of hers? "Okay, look, you're saying the Slade guy is after me, or at least implying it. So: my best bet is to wait. I'll walk around town, maybe get myself a coffee. When this Slade guy is ready for a mental battle, I'm more than happy to meet him..."

Trans!Starfire: "Wait...is Mr. Big not a possum? Not taking size into account, does he not eat carrion or other dead things?"

Nick Wilde: He gave the other a glance that could only be read as 'are you kidding me?' "You found out all this info on Slade's connections and you don't know who the boss is? Mr. Big is a r a t. Nowhere near a possum."

Trans!Starfire: "Ah...the coloration made him resemble a possum. That is entirely my mistake. Still, are rats not omnivorous?"

Nick Wilde: "I think they are? But still, he's...miniscule? Tiny? All those other synonyms? I doubt he'd be eating people like that..."

Trans!Starfire: "Sure, not whole...but maybe he nibbles on the offerings? None of it is nutritional, it's all a display of power."

Nick Wilde: "It still really doesn't seem like something he'd do. Usually he just ices people when they piss him off enough. He doesn't really do the whole 'crime-brag' thing."

Trans!Starfire: "That is a good point. However, he is expanding his territory. He most likely the reputation to deal with the larger gangs."

Nick Wilde: "I don't see why he'd be needing to expand like this in the first place. His gang was perfectly...happy....?" he wasn't really sure how to aesthetically describe a gang. "I don't get the guy sometimes, really."

Trans!Starfire: "Evil is rather obtuse at times. If it makes you feel any better, I believe his intentions aren't personal in nature."

Nick Wilde: "How can attempting to plan a murder a specific target not be personal?!?!"

Trans!Starfire: "It's difficult to explain...when I asked Robin, he revealed that most crime bosses tend to consider pre-meditated murder, especially in your case where it's an attempt to gather a reputation, "business"."

Nick Wilde: "...I just don't get it..." he seemed somewhat disappointed "Why of all people I'd be the one considered a loose end is beyond me. I thought we trusted eachother."

Trans!Starfire: "This is very hard information to take in, sir." Starfire placed a sympathetic hand on Nick's shoulder. "Sadly, trust is easy to drop with people like that. If you are not in his immediate circle, and sometimes even then, you'll always be another asset to him. Someone to use regardless of how friendly you two act towards each other."

Nick Wilde: "I was in his immediate circle! We literally saved his daughters life! Is that not good enough for him?!?! I just...wh...I..." he stammered, so confused."

Trans!Starfire: "That's how men in his position are. I'm sorry, officer. If this was a fair universe, this would not be happening to you."

Nick Wilde: "Well..." he sighed, though he was still willing to take on the battle "You've been in this situation before, feel free to tell me some advice for how I should go about this.." he felt like he could still try and manipulate Slade. It wasn't impossible...was it?

Trans!Starfire: "Hm...Slade isn't expecting a fight. So maybe you should work with that? You and your partner should "welcome" him to your assassination. The courtesy will confuse him...and maybe give you an opening."

Nick Wilde: "Oh...don't worry, she's on other missions around here. I'm not sure I'd want her too involved in the Slade situation..." he explained, conveniently hiding the silver ring on his left hand "Though speaking of; did you happen to see a gray rabbit anywhere around here?"

Trans!Starfire: "A couple...although one in a police uniform was helping an old goat cross the street earlier."

Nick Wilde: "...That sounds like her..." he said with a small smile. He sounded proud with that sentence. "Well, I appreciate all the help you gave with this situation. If you'll excuse me there's a certain individual I need to have a 'talk' with. It was very nice meeting you!" he insisted with a smile, starting to walk away.

Trans!Starfire: "It was nice meeting you too, Mister...I apologize, I never got your name!" She called out.

Nick Wilde: "Officer Wilde, or Nick, whichever's your favorite." he turned back around, offering the nice lady a hand to shake.

Trans!Starfire: "I am Koriand'r, or Kory as my friends call me." Starfire smiled, shaking his hand. "I am also known by the name Starfire."

Nick Wilde: "Well, it was lovely meeting you, Ms. Fire." he even gave a polite bow. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have important business matters to attend to." he gave a nod, before turning back around, his expression much more serious. He was ready for a battle.

Trans!Starfire: "Godspeed, Mr. Wilde!" Starfire smiled. It would do Deathstroke good to experience defeat from an unlikely source...

You left the chat

[fic-heaven]

Fruta del pecado

A hint of mischief (sfw)

[Gus x Fem! Reader]

Masterlist

Part2 of Apple pie flavoured

Next part

Call of duty modern warfare 2

Chickie 🐥: sorry i took so long lmao here you go. You'll get sexy times on the next chapter~

Characters: Soap/Price/Gaz/Reyes/Gus/Nova/Roze

I made some meme references here just because

Tags: Soap being a man-child/mean jokes/Reyes is an ass/ Good boy Gus' getting pranked/ reader self doubting/ dark flashbacks/Price getting his balls inflated

.

How come you've never noticed him before?

What even was this list?

"Why wasn't i notified of this? This... SpecGru?"

"You literally NEVER attend any meetings." Gaz and Soap quacked at the same time

Ah crap...

Gaz massaged his temple and closed his eyes as he turned his chair from the computer to fully face you. He cleared his throat and raised a brow with a face that screamed 'It's big brain time'.

"Let me illustrate you... SpecGru is a private military contractor featured as a faction, the other faction being KorTac. T'was founded after Hassan's death as special forces for hire to conduct various international operations and blah, blah, blah. You, lil' lady! Should read the info we send you."

Soap threw you a crumb of his disgusting-looking sandwich from Gaz's bed. Kyle growled at him to not eat on his bed, but the mohawk bastard rolled to the other side with a fake gremlin-like cry staining the sheets with more crumbs and sauce causing Gaz to jump from his seat and tackle the other man like an angry toddler, giggles erupted from Soap as the angry sargeant tried to manhandle him to get out of the bed.

The morning after your little adventure with Rodriguez you decided to make some info-digging and kindly asked Mactavish to help you, which led him to guide you inside Gaz's room with a sigh and a muttered "Tis' what happens when you miss class."

So now, as you read through the whole file and list of members you loudly exhale, earning a concerned glance from the boys who now stopped fake-fighting.

You were too careless and ignorant with any information given to you, "just do your damn job and move on" that was your mantra as a younger girl. It's better to play clueless and do your part, that'll keep everyone happy and won't put you in trouble.

And look where that got you... You didn't have a sense of direction and so you desperately sought it wherever you were and with whoever gave you a little bit of grounding.

You remember your mother scolding you for being too influenceable, her disappointment only irritated you and pushed you to simply not listen and kept to your teenage stubbornness.

As soon as the feeling of comfort, trust and safety entered your system, your mind would go numb and follow orders without blinking, like an obedient puppy. That's what made you a good soldier, or at least that's what the traitor General Shepherd used to say as to praise you, as if playing puppet for any higher ups was your main focus in life.

Wasn't it, though...?

Price tried to work with you to ease the obedience, as dumb as that sounds, he helped you and still do to grow a voice of your own and choose who you really want to be with, to be the woman you were always meant to be, to find yourself. And you forever will be greatful for him. Him and Ghost... The latter focused on training you and with you since you joined, apparently you were the only one who could keep up with his rough training ways and routines.

Ghost wouldn't admit it out loud but he grew comfortable with your company and it showed, thankfully Soap was smart enough to not tease him about his closeness with you. Sadly the fear of teasing doesn't apply to you when he's sure Ghost isn't lurking nearby which he does a lot.

Both men took the imposible task of training you to become a dangerous weapon with a mind of her own instead of a mindless soldier.

Yet... After Las Almas, after Hassan... Something changed inside you, they all felt it as well. Like a switch in your brain you became more lethal and kept to yourself. It worried the boys.

You used to be open and talkative, but day by day you started closing on yourself, Price and Ghost were the only ones that managed to make you talk more about your thoughts including those that plagued you, Gaz and Soap were your close friends yet couldn't figure you out like the other two men. But they tried, and god knows how much you love them for it.

The whole operation to gain back the missiles messed you. So many close calls, so much stress and pressure... That, you could handle, at least until Hassan's death... It's like all the stress and pressure finally catched up to you. You couldn't even recognize yourself when it happend... The shadow of a beast replaced you completely making you lose yourself the second you had the opportunity and approval to end Hassan's life and terror.

The taste of iron in your tongue and the feeling of skin breaking between your teeth plagued your nightmares, the screams and the satisfaction that came with them, Soap's widened eyes looking at you afterwards with a not so hidden hint of shared satisfaction, Ghost's voice muttering a soft "Hassan's down, good job (Y/n)" like an adult calming down a scared child. The way Price broke your mental freeze in favor of cleaning the blood from your lower face with a rag only to have you vomiting shortly after when realization hit you of what you did to Hassan... What the hell happened to you? What kind of monster are you? What possessed you to do what you did?

You needed time and space.

And so Price allowed you to skip as many meetings and work as you wished (not that you would pay much attention other than to do whatever the Captain ordered you directly) and take all the space you needed.

A pang of headache made you stumble to the bed forcing you to sit on the edge. Shit...

"Hound?"

You still are a selfless brat. A dog who was trained to kill and follow it's master, a war hound.

Price warned the boys you wouldn't like the code name, but to his surprise you embraced it because that's the beast you came to be, you accepted it. As painful as it was to do in the beginning.

The night Hassan died, so did (Y/n) (L/n). And the Hound was born.

"Hound... Hey-"

You flinched slightly when the warmth of Soap's chest pressed to your back, his chin rested over your shoulder peeking at your face. He looked so adorably dorky staring at you with those big, grey eyes.

Instead of answering you huffed and looked down to the list of recruits. What you didn't know is that that exact action was answer enough for the now grinning Sargeant.

Your cheeks flushed when he brushed your hair back, not from that action, but from the name you were tracing with your eyes.

"You two are scaring me. Why all the sudden silence? And can you remind me why you needed the list?" Gaz stands up stretching his arms.

Oh if only he knew...

"YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY DURING LUNCH-" The mohawk adorning the Scottish dumbass' head fell victim to a hard tug backwards, you couldn't process the action until you already did it but hell, no regrets at all.

"Fine! Fine! Watch it lass!" He grumbled snatching the list from your hands a playful smirk assured you he wasn't hurt from the sudden tug.

Gaz occupied himself suspiciously fast seemingly interested in ordering his shirts by bloody color "Whatever it is and now that you got what you needed... Maybe you both could take the list and the other reports stacked on the table to Price's office? Hm?"

Sly bastard. The things Gaz would do just to not walk two floors upstairs. Why Price would have his office so bloody far from everything was a mystery, it was hard to take his focus off of things specially work, but you guess he enjoyed the silence.

Just as Kyle said that Soap flopped back to the bed with a loud thud, the bed creaked at the additional weight. The shirts Gaz just placed there got crushed and undone thanks to Jhonny's ass, Gaz grabbed him by the mohawk and pushed the whining Scottish man out of the room, you rushed to the his side chuckling to yourself.

Gaz gave your shoulder a squeeze, winked you an eye which you returned and closed his door.

"Seriously! What do ye guys have with my bloody hair!?"

"Maybe you should go bald. There, quick n' easy, nowhere to grab, I'll even help you myself shave the bush If you ask nicely."

He have you a a nasty look that quickly cracked to a chuckle. "Bush? You are crazy, the day I shave completely will be the day Ghost dances macarena."

That made you laugh out loud and Soap laughed along marvelled by your reaction. Laughs like that from you were very rare these days, that made him think-

"That quickie you had must have softened you..."

You stopped abruptly, and looked at him with warning. If Price or even Ghost ever heard about what you did... Well... You weren't sure of the consequences, now that you weren't following anyone but Price he was the one dictating the rules, was the rule of fucking other fellow soldiers still a thing? You weren't sure if you wanted to find out, best keep it a secret...

"JUST SAYING! Don't bark at me!" He chuckled.

"I knew you had a thing for Latinos. Can still remember your heart eyes when you first met the colonel~"

Oh Alejandro...

"I bet Ghost got all jealous-" You hit the back of his head lightly with the folder you were holding. "OW! Fine, fine!"

When you reached the stairs, Soap stopped you grabbing your forearm with his free hand. "Hey, I'm glad you are getting loose." The warmth and sincerity of his words made you nod and smile in appreciation. "And since I'm a good friend in a good mood... I'll make you a favor FOR a favor~"

Scary.

"I'll go have breakfast and mingle with the new team aaaaand you take all the reports and shit Gaz gave us to Price's office~" Soap chirped.

"How does that benefit me?" You raised a brow.

"A certain lad will surely be there~" He wiggled his brows "And I've heard the gang usually love ta' play pranks on him, he's a saint but gets punished by the cap quite a lot because of them..."

"And...?"

Soap sighed seemingly pent up that you weren't picking up what he was planning "AND, Price has tons of paperwork ta' finish but Laswell is urging him to get a break n' leave the base for a few weeks. SO THAT MEANS..... Someone else will have to do the paperwork." That certain person usually was you, but Price gave you a break...

Jesus Christ, Mactavish.

Why does he turn into a complete genius in the most absurd scenarios.

"So if the lad gets caught doing something he isn't supposed to do or irritate Price, (easy task), Gus will surely end up victim of hours of paperwork. AND he'll need a quiet place to get it done, probably the free office."

The free office... Your... Your old office?

"I-... OR... I could simply ask him to spend some time together?"

"Really? Could ya?"

...Bitch.

He dropped the heavy stack to your arms and weaseled away. "MACTAVISH! Ugh, nevermind....."

Up you go.

.

.

"Guess who tried to run me over with a humvee again."

"AGAIN!? WHAT DID YOU EVEN DO THIS TIME?"

One of the two operators sitting at the table, Nova, erupted in laughs at the poor puerto rican's walk of shame towards them. His boots crunched every step he took, pebbles and dirt covered his soles, his gray shirt hid dark stains of sweat around the armpits and he waved his beret to flow some air to the sweaty skin of his face. Clear signs of the sprint he took through the road near one of the base's entrances.

Gus moved to sit in between Nova and Reyes, the latter already arching a brow awaiting his brother in arms' response, but Rodriguez simply smiled at him seemingly not bothered with the topic anymore as soon he spotted his breakfast awaiting him when Nova slid him a cup of freshly brewed coffee and some churros.

"Is there any reason in particular?" Nova chirped with a knowing smile.

"What the fuck? Any reason? She's one crazy bitch that's the reason! How did ya even manage to hook up with that witch is beyond me..." Reyes continued, and Nova sighed looking at Gus who was now scrunching his nose and cleaning his moustache with a napkin after the tentative sip he took from his coffee. "Dude look at you, you can't even survive a cup of coffee." Rodriguez snickered "I just miss my Nesquik! I completely forgot about it in my old base, I'll get used to coffee in no time..." At this, the other man rolled his eyes and hit the table lightly with his palm "You are avoiding the topic."

Nova cleared her throat gaining Gus's attention. "Did something happened in the ladies' bathroom, Gus...?"

Reyes arched a brow and Gus froze for a moment, none of them missed the few seconds his shoulders stiffened. "Ladies' bathroom? Que?" His thick accent did little to hide his nervousness.

Nova continued, "Apparently Roze saw your beret in one of the cubicles... I'm not saying you were inside the bathroom, but she thinks you did spy on someone." The girl was surprised Gus didn't know about this, Roze was fuming when she saw his beret there and complained about the Costa Rican being a pervert for the rest of the day, lucky for him only her and a few girls knew about this.

Gus seemingly shivered at the mention of his ex.

"You lil' pervert! Did you miss wetting your pickle so much you went spy on the ladies?" Reyes teased with a mean look. Gus had this perplexed look his jaw dropped at such accusations but could not find an excuse so he opted to do what he does best.

Speak in Spanish hard enough to distract Nova and infuriate Reyes.

"I DID NOT! I'm a gentleman and you two know it! Como podría hacer tal cosa? Estáis locos? Yo nunca espiaria a ninguna señorita! No señor, lo juro por mi madre, mis hermanas, mi abuela, por la virgen de Guadalupe-"

"Okay, okay, okay, okay, stop, stop, stop, STOP!!! I CAN'T. UNDERSTAND. WHATEVER THE FUCK. YOU'RE SAYING." The Canadian chastised him.

It always works.

That got him thinking about you. In the months he spent admiring you from a far, even during his short timed relationship with Roze, Gus' eyes would always widen and listen to every story or report he heard and read about you.

He admired you greatly, like a secret fanboy, Reyes teased him. The Costa Rican always hoped to meet you someday, to work alongside the infamous 141. And the day he got the call he was over the clouds, Reyes' annoyance at the constant topic of when they were going to meet you only increased to the point of barking everytime Gus spoke your name.

But the day they heard about Hassan's gruesome death thanks to Soap's loud mouth?

That peeked Reyes' interest, and soon enough he started actually listening to Gus' rambles about you and shared his disappointment the day first introductions were made and you were the only one not attending, seemingly enjoying the break captain Price gave you.

Back to Roze though. Gus and her called their relationship off months ago, and she changed factions to KorTac as soon as she was able to, their breakup clearly took a big tool on her... Not saying Gus wasn't any better, he did love her no matter how crazy she could be at times, it was her craziness what peeked his interest in the first place. He didn't know a thing about her for weeks until they all reunited to meet 141 formally, Roze being friends with Nova heard of Gus' clear interest in you and soon assumed that being one of the main reasons of their breakup.

Honestly Roze's constant need to find excuses to talk about him and to him was getting very annoying... Specially when she encouraged the team to prank him. Gus never cared about the jokes and pranks, he laughed along and ended up making friends with most of the other members... But Price developed a sixth sense just for him and every time he approached, Gus was always caught and blamed for any inconvenience. He didn't like getting in trouble, luckily for him Price had enough experience dealing with brats thanks to Soap and Gaz, so he wasn't too hard on him... Yet...

"Next time she bothers ya tell the captain. Gotta man up, Gus. If you keep allowing her to poke your asshole she'll end up fully fisting it."

Nova rolled her eyes and Gus frowned in disgust.

"Hermano, please." He sighed, but Nova held his hand gaining back his attention. "Gus, you know Reyes is right, i mean... She went from bad mouthing you to try and hit you with a humvee. Who does that? Roze is my friend, but i can't defend that... Besides, i do trust you not being inside the bathroom, i still don't know how in Gods name your beret got there but whatever it was-"

"You didn't do anything with Hound right?" Reyes interrupted.

Gus was desperate to change the subject but with Reyes everything is difficult, "I saw ya eyeing her yesterday during lunch. I mean you always do, but this time you two left almost at the same time."

The Costa Rican finished his cup of coffee and sighed "You can assume whatever you want, but I'm telling you, i have tons of important things to do other than try wooing Sargeant Hound."

Reyes loudly chuckled at this "I recall you saying the exact same thing about Roze." He then turned to Nova "I tell you, our lil' ex-cop here has a thing for crazy women." Gus groaned when Reyes stole the churro he was holding, HIS LAST churro, mind him. Nova giggled at their antics, but they quietened down the moment Sargent Mactavish approached.

"Yee! Thought i wouldn't catch up to y'all!"

They all shared looks of surprise and Reyes spoke first. "What's the rush, Soap?" Nova nudged him, Reyes didn't cate about protocols and titles ever not bothering to properly address their Sargeant, and she was pent up with it, but that was Reyes. Soap was the kind of guy who didn't mind either, chilling with anyone he encountered but at least he showed politeness, something the Canadian heavily lacked. But Gus didn't. "Sargeant Mactavish!" He beamed "Care to join us, sir?"

Soap chuckled at this sitting across from them, a cup of coffee in one hand and his bag in the other. "Actually, i wanted ta' show ya something i found."

John gave Nova and Reyes a look, a seemingly universal language all Gus-prankers shared. And they were instantly in.

It was funny how they encouraged Gus to fight back his prankers but pranked him themselves. His clumsy and innocent nature made the pranks all the more enjoyable.

The Scott pulled out what seemed to be a karaoke microphone. He didn't exactly "find it", he recalled buying a whole karaoke set one night in Las Almas when Rodolfo and Alejandro successfully pulled you and him out of bed to explore the city at night. By the time he got slightly tipsy you guys convinced him to buy the set and try it when Rudy and Alejandro got the chance to visit.

"Wanna go mess around a for bit?"

Their Sargeant urging them to miss morning training?

"This early? We're going to miss training..." Nova warned them.

"Fuck training." Reyes already got up with a mischievous glint.

"Con ganas, amigo!" Gus Agreed.

.

.

You already knew what Soap was cooking the moment you saw him asking someone if the training grounds' alarm system was operative. His excuse was that he wanted to make sure it worked properly or if he had to call someone to have it checked, but this man was dumb enough to blow his own cover by carrying the whole karaoke set in both arms.

This happend before you made sure he stuck to his promise and left to find Gustavo. When you saw John leave the kitchenette and go to the common area now carrying the set inside a backpack and a cup of coffee you knew the plan was on. So after a quick breakfast you casually went to find the captain to the training grounds with the excuse of getting him a cup of strong black coffee and inform him that Gaz's promised reports were already awaiting him on his office.

The captain thanked you and conversed with you lightly as you two watched the rookies train under the morning sun.

The sky was blue with almost zero clouds, there was this slight chilly air that compensated the heat of the sun, the temperature was delightful. The birds chirped, the rookies trotted, conversed, panted and grunted as they trained, some humvees got parked a little further in the background and the conversation with the captain melted into comfortable silence when you two basked in the background noise.

You internally slapped yourself remembering Soap's plan and your body ticked in anticipation of what was to come. Whatever Mactavish planned involved the captain and so you stick to his side like you always did, but this time with giddiness. Though now that you think about it...

What exactly were you supposed to do when you saw Rodriguez? Should you just go and say how desperate you were to continue where you left off? Would he even want to repeat?

A crackle of static noise interrupted your thoughts, but it all but lasted a few seconds, the rookies kept training and Price didn't do much other than blink. He turned to you and his face lit into a sweet smile, his arm circled your waist casually pulling you a little closer to his side, he opened his mouth to reassure you that it was probably just someone checking on the training grounds' megaphony until-

"SEXO ANAL, PASILLO EIGHT, SEXO ANAL."

Gustavo's voice sounded from the alarms. Everyone turned with confused looks, some rookies were already laughing knowing poor Rodriguez fell victim to another dumb prank, one of them, Roze you believe, was already looking at Price with a cruel smirk.

"Attention all units, backup needed, Sargeant Mactavish is getting his anal cavity bombarded."

Your widened eyes snapped to Price, whose forehead held a prominent angry vein. You gulped.

"-Weiner~" this time it was Soap's voice sounding a little muffled.

Price smiled down at you once more, his face was getting redder and redder and he unwrapped his arm from you with a polite "Excuse me, dear." You nodded once muttering a "sir."

Just when Gus' voice returned this time singing "Pollito Pío" on top of his lungs, the captain rapidly stomped inside the building carrying his radio in hand and yelling at the device in pure anger "JONATHAN MACTAVISH AND GUSTAVO RODRIGUEZ. MY OFFICE. NOW."

.

@lovvecraft @stararch4ngell4dy

[xiaosmoon]

hi!! I'm OBSESSED with the way you write, so if you could indulge me a little? :D diluc + kaeya + zhongli with an s/o who has to seduce an enemy to get important info—though they try their best to stay put, worry/jealousy gets the best of them, and they arrive at the scene just in the nick of time...

hopefully this doesn't overstep any of your blog rules :< tysm!!

seducing an enemy

parings: diluc, kaeya, & zhongli x gn!reader (afab for zhongli)

summary: you get sent on an important mission to try to get information out of an enemy by seducing them, but worry/jealousy gets the best of them and they arrive just in time

warnings/content: seduction, angsty but with comfort, suggestive if you squint

a/n: ahhh thank you so much!!! i hope this did your request justice :)

-> diluc

you really shouldn't be running this late. diluc was pacing back and fourth in main room of the winery. the maids tried to get him to calm down, but he just couldn't sit still. not when you were out on a mission at the risk of being hurt.

and on top of that, seducing someone. just the mere thought of it was enough to send diluc into a frenzy. of course he trusts you. he really does, but you were doing this to a dangerous enemy. the risk of it all was just too much not to stress over.

"i'm going out for a walk. please, do not wait up for me." was all diluc announced to his maids before grabbing his coat and running off.

it was a very cold night, and diluc suddenly remembers that pretty little lace you were wearing.

"it's all apart of the technique, diluc. i can't seduce a person if i'm covering every inch of my body."

obviously you were right, but diluc still wishes you weren't cozying up to a scumbag wearing little to nothing.

diluc hadn't realized how fast he had been walking because he was already at the destination. with claymore in hand, he wasted no time busting open the door. he found you with a knife to your neck, trying to pry the man off of you. your vision was tossed to the side, so you were utterly helpless.

all diluc could see was burning red. he didn't even get a good look at the guy holding you; he let his body do the talking and swung his claymore, not actually hitting the guy but causing him to lose balance and drop the knife.

while diluc was keeping him away, you drop down grabbing the fallen knife and stab the enemy's leg. before diluc could chop the guy in half with his fired up claymore, you quickly push him back with the rest of the strength you could muster.

"diluc, he's down! it's alright now!" diluc was breathing heavily, his eyes fixated on the person screaming in pain. once he feels your body hugging his, his demeanor quickly changes.

diluc drops his claymore and returns your embrace back, kissing the top of your head. "are you alright? are you hurt?" he pulls you off of him, holding your shoulders to examine your body for any injuries.

you put your hand on top of one of his and give him a soft smile. "i'm okay, i promise." you turn around to look at the man behind you on the floor. "he, however, isn't. i'll have to bring him to the knights for further interrogation."

you go and grab your vision before cuffing the man's hands. "y-you're crazy! i'm going to die because of you!" he nearly spat in your face.

diluc was quick to act, grabbing him by the collar and yanking the guy dangerously close to him. "call them crazy again and that claymore you saw earlier will  definitely kill you." if diluc's claymore won't kill him, the fight he felt definitely would.

after diluc accompanied you to take him to the knights, (he wouldn't stop talking about how incapable they were on the walk there. "this never would've happened to you if they knew how to do their job." some things will never change.) he sat you down on a nearby bench and once again examined you thoroughly, even though you told him you were fine for the nth time.

he carefully draped his coat over your shoulders. "i'm just so glad you're alright. good thing i came when i did." he would say. for the rest of the night, he held you tight and gave you many, many kisses while telling you that you're never doing something like that again. not because he was jealous or anything, of course not

-> kaeya

kaeya knows you're an amazing and capable knight. you have amazing combat skills and are perfect at undercover missions. perfect person for the job.

so why was he so stressed?

imagining you throwing yourself all over that enemy in the short and tight dress you were wearing was eating at his mind. you had looked absolutely tempting in that getup that kaeya couldn't keep his hands to himself.

"oh? all this for me darling?" kaeya had walked up behind you and allowed his hands to run down your sides as you added earrings to your final look.

he kissed your neck, and before he could continue, you turned around placing a kiss on his lips. "this isn't for you, love. i have a mission..."

the wine glass that was resting in kaeya's hand had now been shattered to little pieces, littered all over the floor of angels share. he had came here to help keep his mind off of you, but it wasn't helping. at all.

kaeya quickly slammed mora down at the bar, scaring charles before heading off to you. he knew he could be potentially ruining your mission, and jean would have his head for it, but at this point in time he really could care less. you were more important to him than his job.

if only the grand master hadn't taken all of the horses with him, maybe kaeya would've gotten there faster. damn him.

as fast as his feet could carry him, he arrived at the goth grand hotel (did you really need a horse kaeya?) he pushed the fatui agent at the doorway trying to stop him and barged straight to the front desk.

"if you don't tell me what room y/n is staying in right now, i swear i will freeze hell over this place." the poor frightened desk lady handed kaeya the hotel key without protest. he swiped it from her and marched off.

"a42... a42... come on where are you?" kaeya walked down 2 hallways until he finally found it.

not even bothering to use the key, kaeya froze the knob before kicking the door open. much to his dismay, you were pinned down to the bed with the enemy right on top, ready to weald his weapon.

kaeya wasted no time to act. he shoved the guy off of you and drew his sword, keeping it pointed nicely at his neck so he couldn't move.

you jumped off the bed to retrieve your own. "i was handling it you know."

"if by handling you mean almost getting yourself killed, i would say you did a fine job." kaeya's voice was still seductive even when he was mad. maybe he should've gone on this mission instead.

you quickly cuff the fatui agent before kicking him out of the room, leaving him for the knights to deal with. "i'll get revenge for this! my superior, he won't like this. he'll deal with you!"

you sigh as the two knights grab him. "yeah, yeah, i've heard it all before. the day your superior comes for me is the day you'll see hellfire." was the last snarky comment you made before closing the door behind you, leaving only you and kaeya in the room.

"there were other knights here?" kaeya asked, approaching you. "only two. master jean planted them just in case."

kaeya pulled you to him for a very tight hug without warning. he buried his face into your neck and wrapped one arm around your shoulders while the other holding your waist. he kissed your neck, and then your jaw, cheek, forehead, your lips, ear, and finally whispered, "you're never doing this again."

you pull his face back so his eyes can meet yours and you cup your palm around his jaw. you tilt your head to the side and raise a brow. "why? because you were scared for me or because you were jealous?"

there are very few things that make kaeya aleberich blush. but him being called out by you is definitely one of them. "jealous? no, of course not. i was worried for you, love." he pulled back from you a bit and you became a laughing fit.

"hey, i was! you cant prove otherwise." he mumbled the last part and crossed his arms like an angry toddler.

you wiped a fake tear from your eyes and composed yourself. how cute, you thought to yourself. "but you did know i had it, right?" you asked.

kaeya looked back over to you, arms still crossed. "yes, i did dear. you're more than capable of holding your own. but what kind of boyfriend would i be if i wasn't to worry, hmm?" he walked back to you and brushed away any hair that was out of place.

"but," his teasing voice was back. "we do have this very nice hotel room to ourselves now. how about we make the most of it and-"

cue you throwing a pillow at him

-> zhongli

he understood your line of work. he understood how dangerous it could be. but what you had told zhongli earlier that night still wandered at the back of his mind.

you were dressed beautifully in black. the outfit hugged your body in just the right places and zhongli thought you looked absolutely ravishing.

"going somewhere dear?" his eyes were drinking you up. you smile and plant a kiss on his cheek. "it's for the mission i told you about."

the mission sounded dangerous indeed. he had no doubt in your strength but this, this just seemed too much, even for you.

the man you were seducing is known to be very dangerous and zhongli's subconscious couldn't rest at that. mortals were quite fragile after all.

"mr.zhongli? did you hear me?" hu tao waved her hand in front of his face. he snapped out of his daydreams about you and redirected his attention to the young funeral director.

"apologizes miss hu tao, could i possibly take the rest of the night off?" zhongli felt terrible for asking this of her but he just had to go to you.

hu tao granted him his wish, believing that he was feeling ill. at first, zhongli was debating if he really should come to you. it really is their mission, i'm sure they can handle themself.

he was afraid his interference would mess with your mission, but ultimately his concern for you overpowered that thought.

he reached the location in no time. it was a small beach house right on yaoguang shoal. and right outside, 2 guards were posted.

such an important and powerful man obviously has security, zhongli thought to himself. zhongli closed his eyes. he tried to listen for the sound your voice; a sound he had learned to memorize. and he found it. your voice was muffled was full of distress. that was enough for zhongli to approach the guards, ready to break open the door.

"hey," one of the guards stuck his arm out blocking the door. "you can't be here. so lea-" before the guard could get out another word, zhongli send geo shards flying towards both of them, knocking them to the ground unconscious.

he sent a geo spear straight through the door, stabbing the enemy's arm on the other side and pinning him to the wall. you were limp on the floor, but the sight of the geo spear put you to ease. your dress was torn leaving you a bit exposed and you had broken your ankle while fighting the man, but the pain seemed to go away as soon as you saw zhongli walk in.

zhongli sent a few more geo shards to secure the guy on the wall before rushing over to you. "dear, are you alright?" he said squatting down beside you. zhongli took of his coat and draped it over your exposed body. he placed his hand gently on your shoulder, afraid to hurt you.

you smile in relief, raising a hand his arm. "i'm alright, just a broken ankle. could you help me get him to the milieth? they should be here in 10 minutes. i've gotten all the information i need."

"you, this- this isn't over! i'll come back for you. i swear it." the man slurred. your eyes widened at his arm. there was a lot blood was oozing from his wound.

"zhongli, he can't die." zhongli looked at you in confusion. "but he broke your ankle. he can perish."

laughing right now would be very inappropriate, so you had to retain yourself. "i know but the milieth still need him. very alive."

zhongli obeyed your wish and yanked the man off of the wall harshly. "i won't heal him, but he can be taken to bubu pharmacy." zhongli took the spear out and tied his arm tightly with a random cloth he found on the floor. he tossed the man outside for the milieth and rushed back to you. he helped you sit up and you rested your body against his chest.

"thank you, for coming. although i could've handled it myself you know." you look up at him and smile. he lets out a sigh and kissed your lips. "i know dear. but um-" his coat was slipping down your body, revealing a good amount of your cleavage. he turned his head away, blushing a bit. "you should wear my coat." you giggle at his words but put on his coat properly.

zhongli rests you against the wall and scoots to where your feet. he tears some of his shirt to wrap your ankle in. "this will hold it until we get you medical attention." without warning, he picks you up in bridal style. you quickly wrap your arms around his neck so you don't fall.

"w-what are you doing?" you ask, it came out more as a squeak. "the milieth are here," zhongli responds walking outside. "they can take care of that man. we need to get you back to liyue."

yes, he really did carry you all the way to liyue.

[christinebloodwrittings]

Little Drawbacks (Part one)

Pairing: Loki x Fem!Reader

Summary: An armed plot calls the avengers together again, this time with the ineffective help of the god of mischief. Given the complexity of the case, SHIELD was forced to call a retired agent back to the field.

Warnings for this chapter: Curses, mentions of blood and guns.

Loki Taglist: @lokisprettygirl22 @lucky-foxface @otakumultimuse-hiddlewhore @high-functioning-lokipath @thereadinggeek @el-zef

*Ok so before everything, yes, all the avengers are alive, let's just pretend that, ok? and yes it will be 2021 after Thanos and all that mess, enjoy (And yes, I am aware that those are not the cannon dates, but let's go this way k? Trust me)*

Next Chapter ___ Masterlist

Someone, anyone who heard it, would say "I'm sorry" or "My condolences", that day nobody said shit, they just watched the crate of a boy of no less than thirteen years old go down into the dark hole to be covered by dirt.

No one cried for him, they couldn't, my father didn't like senseless emotions like pity or anger, that's why he kept making me and my sister happy, "Happy as a clam" he used to say, all the fucking time. In the long run, it gets boring, emotions are something natural, something strictly linked to our most primitive instincts, the moment I opened my mouth to say something about it, it all started.

2012.

It was so weird.

That morning at 6:30, I stretched out and got out of bed to start the day, took a shower, chose a more or less simple outfit, ate an absolutely unhealthy breakfast, because I had leftover donuts from last night, and headed out.

My job was pretty simple, get behind the moldy desk, pretend to organize some documents and complete mission reports while I kept people away from hacking the system, along with three other agents. All tasks that required a steady hand to write, as Maria Hill called it the day I started to work.

Not that I didn't enjoyed it, because I did, but my set of skills were enough to be a field agent, not some sort of paper-tidying doll with a cold, lifeless gaze, as most of the people who worked in the office had.

But that wasn't the weird thing about that day.

To sum it up, Maria came to my desk and asked me to follow her to the roof, she looked very hurt and the smell of blood and sweat would attract attention, so I thought it would be better not to question her and follow her to the helicopter that was flying, more like hovering, over the roof.

"Get inside!" She screamed over the noise of the engines, I ran taking care of my head from the propellers and jumped into a seat, quickly fastening all possible seatbelts.

“What the hell is going on!” I caught her attention with the confused stare I shot at her.

“I’ll explain when we get there!” heard her through the headphones a man gave me and nodded in response. The city looked so pretty from up high, but you really didn’t had time to appreciate it, “Pretty weird seeing you without being glued to Fury’s leg, is he dead or something?” you yelled, earning a disapproval look from her and a soft giggle from the man next to you.

“He’s busy gathering the Avengers, we have a situation and I require stealth” Obviously I wasn’t going to fall for her lies, with a single arch of an eyebrow I made her spill the beans, "Barton was kidnapped" she confessed, "So replacement, I don’t feel at all offended" she sighed and handed you a classic yellow folder with the name ‘Loki’ written on it.

“Loki? Like the Norse god? Terrorists are so creative these days” settling the files on my lap I stared at the weapon, a scepter with a shiny rock, “No, he’s the actual god, a lunatic from outer space…literally” I gave her a confused look as I went through the little info they had about him, plus a few pictures.

“We’re holding him in a cell, but I have a hunch” she explained, “Too easy” she nodded and I knew, something was definitely up.

“This is everything on him so far, right?” I asked, there were a few side notes provided by his brother Thor, but weren’t really useful to loosen up the knot in my stomach.

‘Trickster god, now that’s reassuring. He looks like a well grown man, but if the reasons for this show are what appears here then there’re dealing with a brat that requires a good old fashioned beating’ I thought passing two fingers over my lips in a thoughtful way.

“What did you need me for again?” I questioned while handing her back the folder.

“I--” She was cut off by an explosion sound, it was deafening but thanks to the headphones it stopped midway. Part of the helicopter door to my left was destroyed and wide open.

In the sky, I saw SHIELD's Helicarrier, along with several planes firing at the engines. Nothing came out of my mouth more than a gasp. "Y/N!" barely heard Maria scream my name. And then I saw the reason, part of my seat almost hung from the screws that held it to the helicopter, but I did not care that I was in danger of death, something in the distance caught my attention.

I was watching the man in the photos jump towards a transporter, his clothes appeared to be green adorned with gold. And he looked buff and tall. That much I could appreciate due to the distance. I noticed him how he stopped midway, a red dot appearing on his forehead.

"Motherfucker!" exclaimed a soldier next to me, aiming his gun at Loki, no second thoughts, I just unfastened my seatbelt and jumped on him, the shot bounced off the metal until it was lost in the air. When my eyes went back to the helicopter, the transporter’s gate was closed and it was taking off. My mouth fell agape.

What the fuck did I do?

"What were you thinking?! Agent Harper had Loki in his shooting range, and if not for your impertinence and insubordination he would not have escaped!" Fury yelled as he paced in his command center.

"There was something off with him, besides how dare you suppose that simple bullets would kill a god? you have to think about this more calmly" he turned around and scoffed, "We don't have time to think about it, Loki has an army coming" images about a device started showing on the screens.

“Sir I—” he cut me off, “Y/n, for years you’ve been a remarkable agent, a loyal soldier, a good friend” he put his hand on my shoulder as he softened his tone in the end, “But you let yourself be pushed around by your own impulses, and that’s something I cannot have in war” I know exactly where he was going, “Were gonna have to let-“ before he could finish that sentence I shot him something that at least would put some extra money in my pocket, “I quit, and I demand due to years of service my right to retirement”.

The check-in agents took my chip away and handed me a box with some books and the cushion I had on my chair. It was a shitty situation, but this kind of incident had already happened in the past, despite my good performance, I did let myself go.

The idiot I had let go caused a literal war in the district I lived in, when I got to my apartment, the building was destroyed by a huge monster that crushed the roof and literally everything in front of me right after I opened the door.

But at that time? I didn't give a fuck about it. I just turned around and let the actual agents deal with it.

BUT! Before I even realized it, it was April 2021, I was about to turn twenty-five years old in just ten days. “Agent Y/N Ora Rivers” but that motherfucker in the blue starred suit had to appear at my door, “No” I closed the door in the face of Captain America, because fuck it! “Miss Y/N, I really need to” his voice was like honey, but there was no way in hell I would go back, “NO! IT’S BEEN NINE FUCKING YEARS!!” I yelled against the door, “Miss Y/N! You’re needed back in SHIELD, there’s been a situation” I heard him try to sound convincing, “It’s about some issue with mutants, Fury told me you would know more about it”.

In that moment, that spark I had nine years ago, the adrenaline, the rage…It all came back.

“Move stipes, and radio everyone and tell them I’m in no mood for any bullshit” he tilted his cap out of curtsey and lead me to the jet just casually parked in the middle of my field, “Fucking great” I said getting in and taking one of the seats, one without a window.

“No window view?” he asked while sitting in front of me, my lack of response made him clear his throat and start with another option. “Steve Rogers, pleasure to meet you” I shook his hand, sadly I couldn’t be nicer to him, that couple of sentences regarding Fury and the whole thing happening, got me pretty on edge.

Cap never said a word after that, I think he thought I'd have to calm down before meeting with the team, I appreciated the gesture, but it wasn't like he was very talkative per se, even after the plane dropped us off at the airport. He didn't say much, other than 'this way' when he was about to make a wrong turn on the way out of the gate.

I felt very nervous about everything that was happening, on the one hand I was going to go back to work, but on the other hand, maybe my suspicions about who was causing an Avengers level threat could be right, that scared me.

Perhaps he noticed, because from one second to the next, the captain's hand moved to my shoulder, his thumb lightly stroking the material of my shirt.

I smiled at him; he wasn't going to get more than that.

"I have to fix a couple of things on the second floor, go straight to the last one, I'll catch up with you in a bit" she pressed the button that said 'penthouse' and got off at the second floor, just like he said.

I went up without any problem, I even thought that I had a decent meeting with my new companions and that stupid Fury, until the damn elevator door opened.

"You"

[eatyourchancletas]

SUMMARY |  y/n l/n; the trauma surgeon who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and is taken hostage by the terrifying mafia known as ateez. despite their situations, love arises between the doctor and san; but when an enemy comes in between the group, breaking trust and belief between the members, what will san choose to save; his newfound love or his brothers?

PAIRING | choi san x male reader

INFO/CATEGORY | mafia au, fluff, light angst

WARNINGS | violence, weapon usage/mention, foul language, lower case writing

[chapter index] [playlist] [previous chapter]

AUTHOR’S NOTE | we’re back! sorry for the long break, hopefully we can get into the flow of things! monnie’s already started chapter 5 off amazingly too :p written by both of us this time (mainly edited by monnie)! please leave feedback, like, reblog, whatever you can to let us know whether you enjoyed it or not!  (re-edited because dongwoo and changsik were switched up)

WORD COUNT | 2.4k

TAG LIST :; @jonghoshoe​  if you’d like to be added to the list please say so in our inbox/ask box!

y/n was usually called outstanding, hard-working, smart. but in reality, he was an idiot when he was outside the workforce. 

being a workaholic meant showing your skills, growing them, improving them, and practicing them constantly. sometimes it seemed to be all he knew— it’s what all the people around him saw. 

yet again, outside of it he’s quite a gullible man; which brings him to his current situation… 

“looking for something?” 

he looked away from the bandages he was previously examining to come face to face with a man that looked around his age. “not really, just restocking my clinic. or—trying to find things to restock it with.” the man nods, glancing around suspiciously, although y/n didn’t didn’t seem to take notice of this particular action. 

“this pharmacy is pretty small, but it has lots of good supplies… lots of hidden gems. want me to show you where i get my tools?”

“oh,” y/n blinked in surprise, “you’re in the medical field?”

the man made eye contact with him, managing a convincing smile. “yeah, there’s a clinic down the road from here, about fifteen minutes by foot, this is the nearest pharmacy, so we stock up from here most of the time. i work there as an assistant.”

y/n nodded, amusement sparkling in his eyes. “wow, then please! show me what you suggest.”

at the approval, the man nodded, “name’s changsik, by the way. what do you work as? i’m assuming you’re also in the medical field.”

they walked along the aisle of the cough syrups, ointments, and the few other medicines to turn and make their way to the exit door. y/n furrowed his brows, about to ask why they were exiting until changsik made another turn, walking towards the staff room. 

“your assumption is correct, i’m a surgeon…” he replied belatedly, trailing off as he stepped foot inside the room. his eyes trailed on the shelves full of unopened boxes, more prescription pills, and—bingo! the supplies he’d written down on his list. 

for a split second, the memory of san handing it to him flashes across his mind, blinking it away as he turned to changsik. “wait, how are you able to access this?”

“i’m a regular.” he glanced across at him, looking past the window. “and also the perks of having a pharmaceutical license,” a hefty laugh left his mouth, “took some convincing though.” 

“huh,” y/n squatted down, inspecting a box that was on the floor, “i guess that makes sense.”

“just put what you need in a box and take it out. i’ll just say you’re helping me take it back.” changsik smiled, watching y/n nod and do so.

after a few minutes, y/n finished and announced he was ready to check out. changsik’s eyes met one of the cctv cameras before settling on y/n. 

“alright, let’s go check out.” 

as they walked toward the front, they reached the hallway that led to the exit. just as y/n was going to walk past, toward the checkout counter, a hand forcefully grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him back. he looked behind him, in a startled manner, thinking changsik had just forgotten something. however, a deeper fear struck when changsik’s hand moved to clench at the back of his collar. 

“don’t make a sound.”

the second the cold blade touched the skin of y/n’s neck, the surgeon knew to stay quiet. there was a burning in his throat as he struggled to swallow, scared to trigger any abrupt movement. his frantic mind jumbled about, words of scolding placed toward himself and the situation while trying to get a grip. he thought of using the in-ear to alert jongho, but it would risk exposure of the communication device: in any case… he’d be dead by then.

“what is taking him so long?” jongho grunted, tapping his foot in impatience. it’d already been about 10 minutes since y/n entered the store—it shouldn’t take that long for a surgieron to find equipment that’s of medicinal standard!

tapping his in-ear and calling out the doctor’s name, he got no response. placing his face mask on, he rushed into the store, beckoning the cashier. “have you seen a man, about 6’3” with h/c hair?”

the cashier stared at him with a shocked look, “yes, but he went back toward the restrooms. is he dangerous?”

jongho shook his head before running toward the back of the store. he shoved against the restroom door, shouting out the older’s name as he threw open each stall door. finally admitting the fact that the older had disappeared, he tapped his in-ear once more, calling out for anyone.

“jongho, what’s going on?” hongjoong had intercepted the connection, hearing jongho’s worried voice.

the bodyguard had no time to register the primal fear that would settle itself in his bones once faced with the leader, “it’s y/n, hyung. he ran away.” 

jongho returned to the headquarters after scoping out the area once more and had just entered through the front door when he was met with the sight of the whole group. 

hongjoong was staring at him with his jaw clenched and an almost empty whiskey glass settled in his lax hand. jongho had never seen a look so severe in hongjoong’s eyes—he’d never messed up this bad. and apparently, the leader wasn’t the only one emotionally affected by his mistake, because before hongjoong could even physically express his own anger, san had snatched the glass from his hand and launched it at jongho, missing his head by less than an inch.

everyone was shocked at his silent outburst, san even going as far to ignore the immense pain in his abdomen and on his shoulder, but hongjoong simply sent the younger a look, causing him to cower back in the slightest. jongho, however, was enraged at what had just happened. what gave san, who had no superiority over him, the right to do that?

“what the fuck was that?” he had stormed over to the boy, grabbing his shirt with both fists. san didn’t back down, sticking his jaw out toward the youngest.

“how could you lose y/n?”

“i was told no matter what to avoid cameras, so i stayed outside! i didn’t exactly think the fucker would have the balls to run away!” 

everyone watched the two, eyeing when to step in and pull them apart. but hongjoong let them run their mouths. the longer someone talks, the more something is revealed. what he was looking to be revealed, he didn’t know; but something would come up.

san pushed back against jongho, “y/n hyung wouldn’t run away. he’d never do that!” 

‘oh,’ hongjoong perked in interest.

the younger scoffed, “what makes you so sure?”

san’s next words came as a bit of a shock, leaving the others with silent questions, “he promised he’d come back.”

bingo!

an awkward silence filled the room as they all stared, speechless at how hopelessly fond their brother had become for their hostage. as much as some of them hated to admit it, y/n was only a hostage to them at the end of the day. and for san to fall into a reversal stockholm syndrome of sorts was nothing short of  a disappointment. however, that couldn’t be the main focus, y/n was missing and they didn’t know how strong his resolve would be in the event of torturing.

“run us back on what happened, will you?” hongjoong told jongho, trying to get a clear picture on what went down because the first thing they needed to know was why y/n was taken, much less, who took him. was it by the same person who’d been running their mouths in the streets? 

and right in the middle of his explanation, an alarm went off on yeosang’s phone; it was a message. the others kept talking, figuring yeosang could handle whatever message he’d received. 

it was when he promptly stood up that all attention had been placed on him. 

“it’s him! it’s dongwoo!”

a soft whimper sounded as y/n was thrown to the ground, hands bound and eyes blinded by some piece of cloth.

“boss,” y/n’s kidnapper spoke in a submissive wave, causing y/n to assume the guy had straightened his spine and was saluting him in some way.

a moment later, a gruff voice broke through the eerie silence in the room, “and who is this?” his voice wasn’t angered or bewildered at all, and that’s what scared y/n. he sounded intrigued; like even he wasn’t expecting to be a part of this situation.

“someone with connections to ateez— saw that bodyguard walking around with him.” 

the other man hummed, “the bodyguard didn’t follow you, did he?”

“no, no. i found them by the pharmacy; i know the area pretty well because i do the runs for sowon— i knew the camera blindspots!” his abductor seemed to be a bit on the simpler side when it came to this “boss” of his, y/n concluded. this was a completely different personality than when he was being abducted at the scene…

“good job. and you know what, changsik-ah,” his voice seemed to be getting more intrigued, y/n’s heart beating even faster in response, “since you bought in such a valuable hostage, i’ll let you have the honors of obtaining information from him.”

y/n felt the air beside him shift, changsik bowing a full 90 degrees at his boss’s blessing, “thank you!”

a sickeningly hearty laugh resonated and the creaking of a chair sounded before the boss’s next words seemed to be the final straw for y/n’s pounding heart.

“i want him alive.” 

“he better be alive,” san growled at jongho.

“we might get to him alive if you two would quit bickering. we’re wasting time because of you two, so shut it and sit down!” hongjoong had had enough of the two. he knew it was a sensitive time for san and jongho, different reasons for both, of course, but they would only get nowhere if they weren’t level-headed.

the two boys bowed their heads at their leader, san still sending a side-eyed glare at the younger before sitting down in his chair. 

it’d been two days since y/n was kidnapped and they still hadn’t been able to come up with a plan to get y/n back. 

wooyoung tried to trace where the text message came from within the first minute it was received, but surprise, surprise! it was a burner phone— so back to square one; checking all of the cctv footage in the area and trying to spot a suspect that wasn’t even visible from the first frame. 

the cameras in the pharmacy showed only y/n, the pharmacist, clerk, and four other customers. of those four, only one person never entered through the front door. and within those 48 hours, he’d managed to single out a vehicle that had arrived in the frame of one of the street cams showing the alleyway behind the pharmacy, and left the same way not even 5 minutes later. it was a suspicious vehicle too; white van, no windows in the back, and paper license plates. the paper plates hinted that they were most likely changed recently or are changed frequently.

and so after hours of having to witness his best friend be so uncharacteristically frantic and down, wooyoung, unfortunately, decided to do what he thought was smartest—save y/n himself to make his best friend happy again.

his intentions may have been well, but in stories like these, doesn’t something always go wrong?

“help me set the table guys,” seonghwa cleared his throat, hand on his hip as he stirred the soup on the stove. the steam from the boiling liquid sent another cloud to his tired face, a sheen of sweat and condensation forming.

“i really don’t understand why we are acting like we have the time to set a table and eat home cooked meals when we don’t!” san exasperated, pacing around the dining room. 

mingi gave a sympathetic smile, patting him on the back before going to help seonghwa. 

while mingi was more on the understanding side of san’s worries, jongho disagreed, “how exactly do you expect us to find him if we don’t take care of ourselves?”

“all i’m saying is food and sleep shouldn’t be this consistently on your minds when we’re all in this situation!”

jongho scoffed, finding the utmost absurdities in san’s words, “why are you acting like he’s so important? he doesn’t know anything about us or our weaknesses— for fuck’s sake, it’s not like we can’t just get another doc—”

a fist had flown toward jongho’s cheek, cutting off his words, before san’s thrashing body was being pulled back by mingi and yeosang.

“go to hell choi jongho!” san screamed, trying to force his way through the barrier the two had made with their bodies. the boy could feel his stitches tearing as he fought, but he didn’t care. jongho had been a bitch since the very first moment y/n was around, and for what reason?

“cut it out, san!” yeosang hollered, voice brute as he pushed against the boy.

“no, let me at him. he wants to keep being a little shit, i’ll show him shitty!”

“stop it! you haven’t even noticed, have you?”

san didn’t stop trying to break the barrier, focusing on getting to jongho and the other’s words, “notice what?”

“wooyoung’s missing,” yeosang began, san whipping his head toward him and trying to disagree, but yeosang was having none of it, “and you haven’t done anything but antagonize everyone here for not doing their jobs at your pace!”

“oh, excuse me for trying to be as quick as possible in finding him!”

“yeah, and who ever said quick was the efficient route to go? we’re dealing with people we know nothing about, but they seem to know a little too much about us, no? so stop getting on everyone’s asses and—”

“shut the hell up! please!” seonghwa had slammed his hands down on the table, screaming at the top of his lungs. every person in the room had immediately gone silent, words left on the tips of their tongues in a desperate attempt to fly about.

“you’re all going to shut it, sit down, and eat this meal like the civilized people we are and come up with a plan to get y/n back as safely as possible,” he gave a quick glare at everyone, blowing a puff of air at the lock of hair that had settled over his eyelids.

“am i clear?”

"yes, sir."

[drvrslcense]

would it kill you to be nice?

Masterlist | Taglist | Wattpad | Instagram | ao3

+ send your requests!

pairing: leo valdez x reader

summary: with bumps on foreheads and anger issues to sort out, you and Leo Valdez are stuck inside Bunker 9's long storage room with no way out

warnings: unedited and rushed piece of work, descriptions of violence, a small death threat - nothing major or serious.

notes: request: this takes place in between the lost hero and mark of athena while they're still building Argo II.

“Hey, Y/N and Leo,” Connor Stoll cheerily approached the two of you inside Bunker 9, as you came back from a visit to the infirmary.

“What do you want?” You sighed, holding an ice pack against your forehead.

“Annabeth told me to show the two of you something,” Connor shrugged.

“What is it?” Leo asked Connor.

Connor turned around and motioned the two of you to follow him. He led you both past the hydraulic lift and the Argo masthead until you came face to face with the entrance of the Bunker’s long-term storage room.

“Uh,” Leo furrowed his brows. “What is she showing me?”

“I don’t know, really,” Connor shrugged. “Just to lead the two of you inside.”

Connor opened the door to the dark storage room, letting you and Leo come inside first. You thought he was coming in after the two of you, but with a bang, the storage room door shut, leaving you and Leo in the dark.

Light came to be inside the small storage space as a small flame flickered to life in Leo’s palm.

“Annabeth?” He called out.

“She’s not here,” you shook your head. You should have known better, following Connor’s command like that. Still, you were tired and just want the day to finish.

“How can you be so sure?” Leo taunted.

“We’re inside a cramped storage room, what do you think, genius?” You shot back. You turned around and banged your fist against the metal cargo doors. “LET US OUT!”

“Come on, Con, let us out,” Leo yelled beside you. You thought it would work, yet you didn’t hear a sound - not a laugh or a cackle outside - only the sounds of machines whirring and metal creaking were heard, not even footsteps.

“COME ON, OPEN THE DOOR,” you yelled against your might, but it was no use as no one even came.

Frustrated, you stormed over to the boy in front of you, “This is all your fault!” It was not much of a hassle, really, as it only took a step to stand in front of him.

“How can it be my fault?” He countered, stretching his hand away from you, careful not to let his flames hit you or anything flammable.

Technically, it wasn’t even his fault that the two of you were locked inside a cramped weapon shed. It was Connor Stoll - you just had to blame someone near you, which was Leo Valdez.

“Well, you started it,” you fumed, crossing your arms in your chest.

“You were the one who threw the screwdriver in my face!” He argued. “How can I not get back at you for it?”

“Oh, you could say ‘hey, y/n, thanks for this bump on my head, by the way,” You pointed at your forehead. “Instead of throwing it back to me!”

“Oh, hey, Y/N, thanks for this bump, by the way,” Leo sneered. “Happy now?”

Leo placed the ice bag he was holding against his forehead, hissing as the sharp cold hit him. “I really love this one. It’s really fashionable, don’t you think so?”

“Yes, very,” You rolled your eyes. “And now I should walk the runway with this ice pack.”

“Do it,” Leo pointed at the door,

“Get us out first,” you countered. “It’s your fault we’re even here.”

“Again,” Leo raised his arms in frustration. “How can it be my fault!?”

“You’re the one who ran to Will, like-” You did your best to mimic his actions from earlier - which wasn’t really the best as you were sure Leo can still feel your rage hitting him like waves and your pout was nowhere near one. “Ooh, Will, Y/N gave me a booboo, can you please kiss it to make me feel better?”

“I’m not like that!” Leo scowled, stomping his foot in frustration. It would have been a nice show of his anger, but not when he stomped on yours.

“Gods,” you cursed, crouching down to hold your foot. “You realize we’re stuck inside a very cramped closet, right? And that we’re one step away from each other?”

“Oh, wow,” Leo rolled his eyes. “Thanks for pointing out the obvious, genius.”

“No problem,” you gritted.

If you didn’t hate him before, you truly hate him now. You weren’t exactly one to fight back, given that you’re a daughter of Hypnos and those who like to sleep like it calm. But seriously, being around Leo Valdez just brings out the worst in you. You made an oath to yourself that you are never, ever, coming even fifty feet near him once you get out of this room.

“Ugh,” You huffed, raising your arms and turning back around, only to hit your head on a shelf. You heard Leo silently laugh behind you. “I hate you, Valdez.”

“Yeah, thanks for the info,” Even turned away from him, you knew he was rolling his eyes. It made you just want to turn back around and pull his eyeballs out of its sockets.

Instead of acting on your anger, you leaned your back against the metal doors and slid down, hugging your knees. You were seriously getting tired from all this fighting. You just want to go back to your cabin and sleep for an hour or two. That would be nice. Instead, you were stuck with Leo Valdez.

“Any luck getting us out?” You asked him. You were out of options, and fighting with Leo was just exhausting you.

“Working on it,” was what he said as he rummaged inside his tool belt. It was amazing, really, how he could just get any tool he wanted from that little pack around his waist. You heard him groan, before slumping down beside you.

As he took a seat beside you, he dropped about five nails and a hammer on his lap. He grabbed a few tools, which you didn’t recognize, and started tinkering. His hands going to work like they knew what to do.

You let out a yawn as you rested your head above your kneecaps. “I’m getting tired. Is there any way you can work faster?”

“Nope,” he answered, as his long fingers skimmed across the different sizes of screws he now has laid out in front of him. You figured it was hard for him - to just work with one hand, while the other was busy keeping the fire steadily burning on his palm.

“Want me to help you?” You offered. You just wanted to get out of here quickly, and it would make Leo work much faster.

“Nah,” he shook his head. “You can sleep there. I’ll wake you up when I’m done.”

“You sure?” You asked him. “It's very hard to wake me up.”

“Yeah, sure,” Leo waved off. “I woke up Percy once and got drenched. I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

“Yeah,” you nodded. “Whatever you say. I swear to the gods, Leo, if I woke up and we still don’t have a way out.”

“You’ll kill me?” Leo finished. “Yeah, I know. Just trust me on this.”

Letting out another yawn, you let yourself calm down and fall asleep. In your sleep, you raised your head and mumbled how your neck hurts. Wiping a greasy hand on his trousers, Leo positioned your head on his shoulder and let you sleep there while he worked.

[acourtofantumbra]

Pulling at the Thread of the Day Court and the Dawn Court Pt.1 - Alchemy & Other Realms

☆ All SJM spoilers: ACOTAR, CC, and TOG ☆

I might be putting this insanity out into the tumblr wilds, but trust that I do not think anyone would ever care to read something this long. Idk if my college thesis was this long. This is a literal invitation into how my neurodivergent brain works. Expect real a to b to q to wow we've just fully veered off the road... where are we even going? energy. If you get tired along the way — yeah, trust me that's normal.

So, I'm doing my first re-read of ACOTAR!! Tbh during the first go around I struggled with the OG trio (I DNFed ACOFAS multiple times lol) and it's been well over a year since I've read them. But recently, I binged every other SJM book/series. So during my messy reread I've been picking up on a lot. And enjoying it more! But there were two fleeting moments from ACOMAF & ACOWAR that caught my eye and led me down what will become (maybe) the longest fucking theory spiral. Like multi part...

Honestly? It's been so fun. My job is very soul sucking.

In short — nothing about this will be short lol — the thread I followed brought me to Helion, his Day Court, and weird connections to both the Thesan/the Dawn Court and one of ACOTAR’s many unexplored Faerie Realms. And some realms not in ACOTAR. I also take a look at both Helion and Thesan’s powers (as well as some others) that have me questioning... some unexplored "magic" from multiple worlds. Happy to call all of it crack theory, but I will be citing as much canon as tumblr's image limit allows. This is gonna be a long and winding road!

I always add books and page numbers (and try to add any other relevant citations) to the visuals/sources I use, so check those out if you need some extra info!

Color Key: spoilers, notes from me 2 u, important, important + links, mentioned later in the post, mentioned in another post of mine or in a future post

Day Court Powers and Dawn Court Powers

Alright, so the moment that caused me to spiral was a snipe from Lucien in Chapter 11 of ACOWAR. Feyre’s plan to GTFO of the Spring Court is fully in motion, but she's freaking out about Hybern weaponizing faebane. Breezing past that, Lucien confronts her about being a big ol’ liar whilst reminding her that he has other friends, ok? 

So, two things: I was trying to remember who Lucien’s friend was and thought, Oh right, the ‘Master Tinkerer.’ The friend that made Lucien’s golden eye, which is itself magical.

But then I got caught up in a different question... Like hold up, what healing powers did Feyre use in this moment he’s talking about?

Because that's the main power of the Dawn Court that's canon thus far. Especially because Lucien is pointing out that his friend’s light and Feyre’s light comes from “the same power,” which he seems to know intimately, and their “light is identical.” At first, I was just confused because who is this non-High Lord person with High Lord power? And are we all cool with that or...?

So I flip back to ACOMAF to remind myself wtf we’re talking about here… which of Thesan’s — or the Dawn Court’s — powers did Feyre use in the Hybern/Cauldron event at the end of the book? A display noticeable enough that Lucien clocked Feyre's light looking familiar — perhaps because his mechanical/magical eye might have related functions. 

As it turns out we're not talking about Thesan’s powers at all… we’re talking about Helion’s powers. Which might be why Lucien is intimately familiar with how the power works — for wholly different reasons... like having inherited Helion’s powers himself.

So Feyre breaks through Hybern's wards so she can get her sisters and IC out and reestablishes her bond speaking with Rhys, but notably she still can't feel the bond with Hybern's spell crushing down on it. But she pretends she's broken the "curse" Rhys has put on her to make her like him more than Tamlin...

Tamlin... my dude... no...

And while Feyre gave an Oscar worthy performance convincing everyone that her very nice Night Husband was evil the whole time, Lucien is suspicious as hell... and so is his eye.

Lucien knew Feyre was full of shit and with “centuries of cultivated reason” he might know about some other lies *cough* who his real dad is *cough*. But his mating bond with Elain has freshly snapped into place… so his priorities shifted, one could say, and doesn’t call Feyre out.

Ok, so where are we now? 

Feyre used Helion’s Day Court power - his light and his cursebreaking/spellbreaking to take down Hybern’s wards so the Night Court could get her recently Made sisters out of dodge. Lucien clocks this because he has a friend in the Dawn Court with the same abilities and the same light and also maybe because he personally knew Papa Helion’s powers were being used.

Here's a post from whitewolf-ofdoranelle: detailing some evidence about Lucien maybe knowing the truth about Helion and his powers.  

About Light in the SJM Multiverse:

It's becoming more important by the second!

We have many different shades that seemingly allude to overarching people/powers/plots. Most of the time when we encounter characters using or emitting light, they/we don’t exactly know where it comes from or how it works. Which is why so much of the understanding re: our shining characters is still just speculation at this point.

But we know it's for sure important with the introduction of the Starborn Line in Crescent City and the lore that connects Midgard and Prythian (tho the stories are not identical... someone is lyinggg). We’re building that knowledge more extensively as the multiverse comes into play.

For example, when Feyre glows after the mate-a-thon with Rhysand in the mountain cabin she wonders what court's light is turning her into a 100 watt bulb...

It very well might be a different light! Helion's light has been described as healing! Of all the glowy boys — Thesan is actually the glowiest and the brightest! Are they different? Are they the same? I really don't know!!! And I'm sorry if I've made you more confused now too. Tho I do delve into Thesan more towards the end.

A thought I've had re: Helion's kind of light (I'll get more into in another post) has everything to do with Pelias... and Helion's sensitivity to the Dread Trove.

In ACOSF, Helion has to have the IC cover the mask and physically remove himself from the area... no one else has this sensitivity (at least to this extreme) and all Helion has to say for himself is this:

It's worth noting that in Midgard they don't seem to have the same distinctions regarding light powers. Like... everyone who glows (minus Hunt) is Starborn?

In Prythian we have Dawn Court light, Day Court light, Night Court shadows and perhaps this (to borrow the Midgard term) Starborn light. Pelias, the controversial figure in the lore connecting P + M in the King Fionn and Theia story, is said to be a Starborn prince. But at every turn the Princes of Hel are quick to point out that Pelias' power and his light are nothing like Theia's — who is, by their claim, the true Starborn power holder — and her daughters'. They also say Theia's daughters have starborn and shadow gifts, but that isn't necessarily part of Pelias' skill set either... I'm lookin' at you Aidas.

Anyway, I've toyed with the idea that perhaps Pelias' light powers, because Midgard lacks the distinction between light powers, could be Day Court-like. And it would make sense that the Dread Trove would ward against anyone in that lineage considering "Pelias wielded [Luna's] Horn until he died" (HOEB). JUST SOME THOUGHTS.

Check out this absolutely incredible (a comprehensive) theory post from @wingedblooms about the different kinds of light in the SJM Multiverse

But back to Lucien’s friend who has Day Court powers… who is she? 

It’s Nuan! A character I was like, "She seems cool, can’t wait to get to know her.”

And then ACOWAR ended and we never heard from her again... womp. But, some might call this a loose end.

It's me. I'm calling it that.

Considering she played a big role in Lucien’s life (a former main-ish character with nothing but loose ends), provided critical help to win the war against Hybern, has a suspicious amount of power, technical skills, and connection to distant faerie realms we still know frustratingly little about… Nuan has nothing but potential! Welp, let’s get into it. 

So remember how Feyre is like “What if everything I eat has faebane in it, wow that’s suddenly a huge problem for us right now on the verge of war?” And then Lucien is like, “You have my friend’s powers, you liar?” Coincidental? Cool.

When Nuan is finally introduced by name, she's shown up at the tensest High Lord meeting ever at the Dawn Court. Why? She wants to let everyone know she invented a cure for that pesky Faebane. Helpful!

There is a metric ton stuffed into her introduction and it's hard to even know where to begin, but I'll try.

Just know the “she looks kind of like Amren thing” is incredibly specific and out of nowhere.

Whenever SJM throws in an “oh, I just kinda thought that… strange” and “oh hm maybe i saw that person glowing like a 60 watt bulb but maybe not” etc etc etc… statements, they are always important. There are more of those moments to come and every series by her is full of these.

Anyway, ACOTAR has had 5 books (4 novels, one novella) and this comparison to Nuan is among one of the more specific pieces of the “who and what is Amren” puzzle we get. We’ll get to it, but we’ve got a mountain the size of Ramiel  to dig through first. 

Back to the Dawn Court scene: Being his usual discriminatory self, Beron aka the High Lord of Autumn is suspicious of Nuan’s miracle cure for faebane for because he's an asshole and a xenaphobe — we’ll come back to this. But she counters with her own commitment to protecting the fae from being poisoned and powerless. Go Nuan! It also seems like she's a very dedicated scientist, but that behind this science there is also magic. Makes sense when you consider the whole magical appendages gig she has!

Nuan monologues about the Mother aka higher power/god/[insert mystical lore here] situation who is suspect #1 in the whole “what are the gods?” conversation. The gods, etc. are known lore — which exists in different forms ACOTAR, TOG, and CC — and they're complicated enough to warrant their own massive post.

Anyway, Nuan explains that the Mother provides “everything we need on this earth.” Nuan simply needed to find what the Mother has provided Prythian to stop Hybern from “wiping out” their powers. Considering she applied this logic and it worked… seems legit... and important?

So yes, the way she phrased her scientific method struck me... and left me with so many more questions than I started with. Like what did you use and how did you do it and where did you find it??? What do you mean this earth?! I could keep going!!!!

However, her antidote can’t protect fae entirely because physical objects made from faebane will still have dangerous effects. Sounds like her compound is able to… dare I say… break the curse or spell of faebane? But if  the physical object that makes fae vulnerable comes barreling at them… well that’s a whole different story. Kind of like how from the first scene I mentioned: Feyre could break the wards and the spell silencing her mating bond with Rhys, but she still couldn’t feel any of the physical effects of the bond with Hybern’s spell shutting her down.

Nuan, it seems, not only has Day Court-like powers as a person whose family isn’t from Prythian, or the Solar Courts, she can transform magic/power into physical objects - magical mechanical body parts and medicines, for ex. Kind of like less spooky Nesta sword versions of Made objects?

But this is apt considering she’s not just a tinkerer (a word that will always make me lol), but Thesan introduces her as an alchemist.  

Let's talk about alchemy, baby

So let’s take an unplanned detour off the cliff of what tf is alchemy? VERY COMPLICATED is what it is! You may wonder where the heck are I'm going with this... patience my friend. Possibly somewhere... maybe nowhere... idk. Look, I said this would be long.

I promise we'll delve into actual historical contexts, but I'm gonna be real with you... I'm not a scholar, or a philosopher, or an archaeologist, or a theologian, or a chemist, or an anthropologist. I took courses on these subjects, but I just enjoy learning about this stuff/consuming content about it. Alchemy is very mysterious, very "lost to time," so it's hard to get it right. And just to keep it 100... my deepest and longest exposure to alchemy comes from a beloved manga and anime series. If you're like... "yup, absolutely not." Skip the rest of this post if you'd like... or skip ahead. To both fandoms... I'm so sorry for what I'm about to do. lol.

Alright, raise your hand if you too love the manga and anime series Full Metal Alchemist… If you’re not raising your hand, I highly recommend giving it a whirl. And maybe don't ruin it by reading any of this. If you think Kingdom of Ash has insane world building culminations and… pain... yeah FMA has that and emotional pain I’ve never healed from. *sobs* 10/10 

Much like SJM and her use of universal mystical concepts and traditions, FMA also references much of the real history of alchemy and, by association, incredibly complex mystic religious principles. And what would ya know? Turns out FMA is a super helpful tool to explain/understand this very difficult subject.

So let’s take a quick look at the main character in FMA…

That’s Edward. He’s a rascal. He’s also an incredible alchemist who’s able to transmute — woefully basic explanation: turn objects from their original form into something else through the law of equal exchange — without a transmutation circle. That's a rarity among even the greatest alchemists. Because he can do this, at age 12, he becomes the youngest State Alchemist (he works for the government begrudgingly). Though, in the image above, that's Ed with a transmutation circle and hm... is that a star shaped rune? I digress.

You might ask... where is there an instance of a "law of equal exchange" in SJM's worlds? It might not be a perfect parallel, but... there's definitely something going on with give and take regarding magic. And that has major implications re: how much magic each world has (and how much the Asteri need to consume/wreck worlds for). I'm a broken record but... that perhaps will be its own post one day.

When Nuan talks about the Mother providing what that world needs... I feel like we're touching on something here. And as an alchemist, her work would be centered around this law of balance. Of course, we get absolutely no details from SJM.

But let's look at something we've encountered a bit more, like the Great Rite. Note: not my favorite magic tradition in these worlds... But it keeps coming up, especially where characters with mysterious pasts are concerned.

I've also made a post tying it in with Hunt from Crescent City and... idk... once I saw it, I can't unsee it.

First off, Lucien shakes off shadow hands multiple times talking about the Great Rite... please take note of that for a point below.

But we get reference of a tradition that must occur every year for their magic's cosmic "give-and-take." Sounds equal exchange-like.

High Lord becomes the Hunter (Hunt... is that you?) who needs to find the Maiden (Bryce is this what you guys are doing?) selected by the magic. Then they "couple" *sigh* and generate magic that's released back to the earth and all is well and magical for the coming year. Sure.

The Maiden has come up countless time in the references to the triunity or triple goddesses throughout ACOTAR, CC, and TOG (Also long and complicated - I am 100% doing a post on this). Short version: the triple goddess = mother, maiden, and the crone. Three-faced goddess. All the moon goddesses implicated. Witches and their goddesses... Persephone-like characters... etc. etc. etc. I'll get into it another time... this is my super bowl. But the Maiden has everything to do with the Mother and vice-versa, just as Nuan pointed out in her assessment of balance and magic within this world.

Outside of the Great Rite's Hunter and the Maiden ritual, Lucien says the rest of court takes a part in the night, "though it’s not the Great Rite, our own dalliances tonight will help the land, too" (ACOTAR, Chapter 21). Energy spent becomes energy reaped... even if they don't get the ritualistic title. Is this reminding you of science class and the first law of thermal dynamics: energy can't be created or destroyed it can only be transformed? It should.

It's notable that every Court has a Great Rite they must comply with to power the magic of the land, though we're only familiar with the Spring Court's Calanmai tradition. But in ACOSF, Gwyn mentions multiple times that when females "come of age" they can, and seem to be expected to, participate in the Rite. And we all know rituals with titles and milestones have never gone wrong for anyone... *stares in Crescent City* (The Drop). But also, we're seeing instances in both CC and ACOTAR where magic is waning... like the balance is off. Rhys tells Feyre that Starfall souls are less plentiful and well... we know the Asteri are over indulging in first light. Essentially, exchanges are not equal and there are traditions in place to keep them that way! What's changing? What does this mean?

The TikToker ahappyhermit posted her first podcast episode about Starfall and the dwindling souls and it's awesome. She's also got a lovely reading voice!

Back to FMA, transmutation boiled down also feels suspiciously similar to Aelin and co. drawing their wyrdmarks... something many SJM theories speculate will make a big return come CC3/ACOTAR5.

Alchemists even wear objects (clothes? yup! prosthesis? yup! fake eyes... eye patches? yup!) or have tattoos (Aelin and Bryce's world walking tats? TOG witches w/ the Eye of the Goddess tats?) with transmutation runes to help them attempt to do what Ed can do — transmute without crouching down and drawing out a rune.

In an attempt to try and spare you the full rundown of the science and magic of both alchemy and the world of FMA... there's gonna be metric tons of nuance I'm leaving out. The FMA fandom are effectively scholars at this point and I just want you ALL to know I know I'm watering some of this down.

Why can Ed transmute without a circle? It's really complicated, and important, but I'll do my best to summarize. First, it helps that, like Nuan, he has a metal arm - in FMA it's called automail, it's as complex as we've come to know Nuan's work is (albeit a little less magical), and basically he can do science faster/easier with it (I'm so sorry this would simply take too long to explain). And because *giant and complete FMA spoiler alerts across the board - like seriously I'm going to discuss all of the big reveals* he does some majorly taboo alchemy — resurrection of human life — that takes his leg and arm (and his brother's entire body, but not his soul leaving him as animated armor). Performing the taboo human transmutation opens a portal to the Gate of Truth. It opens, revealing a dimension of information which manifests as a shadowy void with several shadow-like hands coming out of it and a single large eye within. And this isn't just pure FMA canon, it draws inspiration from the lore of the Tree of Life.

Shadowy hands and something with a big eye watching you in a knowledge void? Hm... Let us turn to Nesta spiraling out and falling down the House of Wind steps and into her Making memories from the Cauldron. This does not include the MANY times characters, from multiple worlds, mention feeling shadowy hands (*wink* Dorian), but we saw examples with Lucien above.

The Cauldron kind of sounds like a big eye in a shadowy void that is perhaps a different dimension stacked with information, huh?

And what happens after Nesta's spiral? She comes to and realizes she's sparked and embedded her hand, and then handprint, in stone... which is also glowing.

Did anyone else find this moment/detail weird when they were reading? Cassian found it super weird!

Back to Edward, at the Gate of Truth, he meets a god, Truth. It's a whole thing. Insanely long story short, by reaching the Gate, Edward sees into the void that holds the truth of the universe. This allows him to bypasses the need to draw runes and instead channels the energy of alchemy/all the nature bending stuff he does by his own will.

Effectively, Ed seeing beyond the Gate allows him to break the rules of nature and freely wield a "different magic".

Interesting, because what Nesta has taken from the Cauldron seems to allow her to bypass the natural order of things too. No markings or weapons needed.

Throughout the series some (Illyrians) call Nesta a witch and refer to her different, powerful magic as unnatural. In fact, even the other magical beings of Prythian do not get her magic.

Hypothetically, and just pretend with me, Nesta could (she gave it back) do a kind of alchemy without the limits of nature/the laws of Prythian because she she took too much from the Cauldron/void of truth... it stands to reason that, much like using the wyrdmarks in TOG, that alchemists like Nuan are tapping into something totally different magic-wise. Like most High Fae have some magical capabilities, but the High Lords are usually the ones with the more robust skillset. Alchemy might be this secret link to why characters — multiple groups of high skilled/non royal fae/even humans in TOG — can display huge power... as well as create objects with incredible abilities like arms and eyes... and... Prythian iPods?

Helion might not have tinkerers like Thesan, but he does have piles of libraries and scholars... oh ya you can be I will be doing a post just on libraries.

Anyway so we've got some suspicious powers around, suspicious magic objects created for other purposes originally, and magical objects like body parts and medicinal powders. We've got multiple instances across worlds that implicate magic and cosmic balance... specifically that balance being off now.

Especially with magic being targeted (First and Second Light in HSOAB) as a deity food source - I think correcting the broken state of magic with alchemy could very well become... something. And I explain below an instance we already have seen where non-magical magic does just this in the SJM multiverse.

But in the next part of this theory spiral this connects (perhaps!) to Nesta and the Cauldron/Gate of Truth concept I outlined. Specifically, alchemists who see it and come back have taken too much from it. It comes at a great personal cost, but they have superior nature-bending abilities. The "great personal cost" thing is a TOG quote... just btw. Spoiler alert: witch mirrors

Ok, I promise just a few more comps using FMA and we'll move this train right along...

Finally, in FMA and alchemy seven is also big number and I get into some other instances in the real history below. There are seven Homunculi, beings with tremendous power who have their own agenda with a much bigger scope than what's happening on this sole planet/realm. And actually, there's a secret eighth Homunculus that's been hiding in plain sight for the whole show (like a secret 8th court?)... and ends up being the creator of the other homunculi... as well as being Ed & Al's dad (like said secret court being an origin point for all our favorite fae?). What is a homunculus? It refers to the medieval legendary concept of a being Made and brought into existence by certain means of alchemy and it requires the Philosopher's Stone (too complicated to even get into, but it comes up again in my Pt. II post). Also fun fact: in FMA, Homunculi all carry the mark of the Ouroboros... like that (witch) mirror in ACOTAR that people have been mighty suspicious of.

The Homunculi are aptly named after the seven deadly sins - pride, envy, lust, wrath, greed, sloth, and gluttony. Makes you think... Asteri are pretty gluttonous... Valg? Princes of the Pit? Angels? Scions? Some High Lords? Nesta? IDK?! Anyway, the Homunculi begin as villains and some change their allegiance along the way. But not all not all of them are inherently evil. Despite looking like the human characters/beings in FMA, "Homunculi are still aberrations of nature created by violating the laws of the natural universe, and as such, have no souls." It's complicated, but they're incapable of accessing the Gate of Truth or regular alchemic (read: magic) powers, because they lack souls. Some weird Valgy/TOG god/Asteri/can't get through a damn portal parallels, no?

Ok, that was still SO long, and I'm just gonna leave these many kernels of thought I have failed to really wrap up here... whilst staring into my own void... and catalog of all the characters and beings we've run into described as something else or Made or bred. I will spare you from the whole chimera conversation... FOR NOW... but I'm looking at all of the spooky murder pets our heroes have fought off... and truly every Asteri "experiment" being. Just know that.

Has Sarah watched this show? Dude, I don't know. But I do know that we both entered the world of fantasy via Sailor Moon. According to this post she even wrote wildly popular Sailor Moon fanfiction. So she has watched and loved at least one anime. FMA is wildly popular, has a rich fantasy plot that's a masterclass in world building with brilliantly researched foundations in global mystical traditions, and it's penned by a woman! So, no, I'm not 100% convinced she hasn't.

So, is alchemy real? Kind of...

OK, I swear I'll focus now. So alchemy! There was a time when people believed it was real (from the ancient past to Isaac Newton who wrote a lot about alchemy and very real science). The way I have come to understand it, alchemy exists within the crossroads of science and mythology. It's even been considered a kind of witchcraft or spellwork. However, alchemy did either lead to, or exist along side, many important scientific laws and discoveries we still hold as truths/are taught today.

So... witchcraft, eh? We've had allusions to witches in ACOTAR, but we seem to be lacking the noted presence of such beings like we've seen in CC and TOG (though we still don't fully understand their powers across the board)... unless they're hiding in plain sight dressed as something else?

Interesting... no? I am far from the first to suggest the Made Archerons are witches (and Pt. II will have more witch talk and citations to great theory posts I didn't write). But hey, they could be alchemists too...

We know from Nesta's perspective in ACOSF that she absolutely took more than she should have from the Cauldron and she is using/making tools (read: swords) right and left. Plus, Mor's description sounds suspiciously like alchemy that's... gone rogue or without equal exchange. Also, more simply, everyone calls Nesta a witch (specifically the Illyrians) and she's cool with it. But that's could be because she revels in being scary and we love her for it.

Alchemy as word reveals much about it. Like most terms that have an "al" to start (algebra, algorithm, alfalfa, alcohol, almanac...) is an Arabic syllable for “the,” and we see it show up in the language of math and science.

"Alchemy was rooted in a complex spiritual worldview in which everything around us contains a sort of universal spirit, and metals were believed not only to be alive but also to grow inside the Earth... Historian Nevill Drury, in his book "Magic and Witchcraft," notes that, "The word alchemy is thought to derive from an Egyptian word, 'chem' or 'qem,' meaning black — a reference to the black alluvial soils bordering the Nile ... We know that the Greek word 'chyma,' meaning to fuse or cast metals, established itself in Arabic as 'al kimia' — from which alchemy is derived." Live Science

"Alchemists attempted to purify, mature, and perfect certain materials. Common aims were chrysopoeia, the transmutation of "base metals" (e.g., lead) into "noble metals" (particularly gold); the creation of an elixir of immortality... The perfection of the human body and soul was thought to result from the alchemical magnum opus ("Great Work"). The concept of creating the philosophers' stone was variously connected with all of these projects." Wikipedia

There's a lot going on there, but we're speeding right along. You can ask questions at the end of class. No, seriously ask them because I'm probably not gonna dig that deep here.

Alchemy has roots in many different ancient places and sprung up independently of one another.

"[There were] at least three major strands, which appear to be mostly independent, at least in their earlier stages: Chinese alchemy, centered in China; Indian alchemy, centered on the Indian subcontinent; and Western alchemy, which occurred around the Mediterranean and whose center has shifted over the millennia from Greco-Roman Egypt to the Islamic world, and finally medieval Europe." Wikipedia

As it turns out, Sarah and alchemy have a lot in common — they love mixing a matching the myth of many places into one magical tangle. There's a lot to unpack there and I wont get to all of it here... but I will try to eventually. One thing I will definitely touch on in another post is alchemy's connection to the God Hermes who keeps coming up in my research — he has many powers, but notably he's a world walker.

So from the quote above I'm gonna dive into connections with what we know about elemental fae magic, then we get back to Nuan and Alchemy's far reaching geographic history, and how that brings us to major questions marks around Helion and Thesan and their Courts.

Elemental Fae Magic vs Alchemy

So we don't know everything about elemental fae magic across worlds, but from the recent books and leading plots... we get a ton of focus on weapons (swords) being the biggest world connections (CC 3), Nesta forging narban blades, and Rhys explaining finally what this world is and what magic/fae used to be like.

Something new, eh? Something different?

As the LiveScience quote above points out, alchemy is magical, scientific, but it's also deeply connected to the Earth and laws of the universe. So elements play a big role and, you guessed it, we get the number 7 again (if you don't get why I keep referencing 7 I encourage you to take note every time the number 7 comes up in TOG, ACOTAR, CC because it's near constant):

"The elemental system used in medieval alchemy... consisted of seven elements, which included the five classical elements (aether, air, earth, fire, and water) in addition to two chemical elements representing the metals." Wikipedia

If you're unfamiliar with the concept of aether, here's an incredibly rushed explanation that's still somehow too long:

Aether has roots dating back to ancient Greece and means, "in Homeric Greek, 'pure, fresh air' or 'clear sky'. In Greek mythology, it was thought to be the pure essence that the gods breathed, filling the space where they lived, analogous to the air breathed by mortals. It is also personified as a deity, Aether, who is at times relates to Chronus, Erebus, Nyx, Chaos and Hemera (this is its own post) in traditional Greek mythology. Aether is related to αἴθω 'to incinerate', and intransitive 'to burn, to shine'."

Traditionally there are 4 elements - air, earth, fire, water. But in the Medieval Age (read: alchemy time), scientists concluded there was a 5th element. Aether was considered the material that fills the region of the universe beyond the terrestrial sphere. Unlike the four terrestrial elements that were subject to change and moved linearly, aether was a celestial element that moved circularly and had none of the qualities the terrestrial classical elements. Aether also is tied in quite often with light. And this is significant because light is notably how scientists (have — some theories since disproven — and currently do) measure distance and travel within space.

I find aether particularly interesting because, within the SJM multiverse, we have seen magic wielders display powers that would fall within the terrestrial elements (ex. Autumn Court's fire powers, Rowan's/Whitehorns' wind powers, House of Many Waters & Aelin's mom's water powers, etc.). But then we have these outliers whose powers work a little differently... perhaps more powerfully... specifically when we're talking about light and shadow. And with the allusions to burning, shining, and breath... we've got a lot of interesting Starborn connections. Also... travel within non-terrestrial spaces??? Come on now!

Back to Elemental Fae

In the ACOSF passage above, Rhys explains that Prythian Fae magic used to be more elemental — like the elements above. He also says their kind of magic could forge great weapons, just like Nesta who creates her narban blades... and a reminder that there are the 5 discussed elements and also 2 metals (we wont get into specifics here, but just... metals ok?) to create the 7 alchemic elements.

Tons here to analyze but take a look at TikToker chemicalrosie killing it on the analysis of elemental fae magic, weapons, and connections across the SJM worlds. She does most of the heavy lifting on this point (thanks Rosie).

In Crescent City we get more hints of elemental fae magic. In fact the Houses themselves seemingly represent these elements: House of Sky and Breath (aether? Also potentially air?), House of Earth and Blood (earth), House of Many Waters (water), House of Flame and Shadow (fire... also aether?). Under the House of Sky and Breath there are even beings called "Elementals," though we don't exactly know what an elemental is yet because their mentions are limited. Am I screaming "alchemists" into the void? Sure am. If they were elemental fae... wouldn't they just be called fae??? We do know they belong in the same House as angels, fae, and those blessed by major gods (which we know can give a magical or non magical being gifts of varying levels from TOG).

We also get mention of an Elemental War, which Lehaba mentions a distant relative sprite being involved in. Though that is sort of the extent of what we know about it (unless I'm wrong and feel free to tell me I'm wrong always).

We also get another depiction of elemental fae magic forging a weapon (refer back to that TikTok above if you want to delve into who this is and what it depicts in the multiverse).

So we're not gonna get too much deeper into elemental fae magic (tho let me know if you want further digging on this because my unhinged brain knows no bounds), but let me sketch my overarching point with this.

We have multiple points of reference within the SJM Multiverse where elemental magic and its noted difference to starborn/aether-like magic is being woven into this bigger world-spanning plot. Obviously, I referenced CC and ACOTAR here, but I could have dumped a ton of TOG references in here too (and will... later!).

We also have a multiverse with magic that seems... out of balance. We do not not know why all of these element-related mentions have been baked into the plot here and there. What was the Elemental War and why are magic abilities so different among Fae at the very least — and why are they different than they were before?

We also have metal/Made/superior substance swords linking our multiverse and being forged despite that not happening in a very long time. But now that Nesta has relinquished her stolen power back to the Cauldron... and we've got a world walker stuck in Prythian who may want to leave with one more sword than she landed with... seems like special weapon forging might be a useful skill. If only there was someone who could make magical metal objects without the powers of some spooky void or magical land decree...

Oh wait... we do have that person. And perhaps she also has a whole team of alchemists like her.

That's right folks... the last part... of this first part...

Back to Nuan and Other Faerie Realms

Oh my god this is so long. If you're still reading... I think we're officially betrothed? Idk. I love you.

Ok, so Nuan is described to us as so unique looking (look, I am not saying this is a great moment from SJM) she can only compare her to Amren... a [we have no idea but lots of speculation] being from another world.

Then we get a stark moment of xenophobia from Beron during the Dawn Court-High Lords meeting... because Nuan's parents are from a Fae realm called Xian. Xian is a faerie territory located somewhere in the Continent (I will speculate a ton below) that notably supported the loyalists during the war that resulted in the wall between the mortal lands and the fae realm. That means Xian was pro human slavery and that they ultimately lost. Nuan follows this up by reminding High Lord Asshat that she is as Prythian as his sons (let's go girl).

Beron's outburst also causes Thesan to jump to her defense because (that's his girl) his mom was from Xian... actually the majority of his court is from Xian?

ALRIGHTY THEN! Where to start?

So first off, just extrapolating from what we get in this exchange re: Xian... a place like most places SJM has not explained at all to us in that we know almost nada about it. If Xian supported the loyalists... and then they lost... and then a bunch of fae relocated to the Dawn Court in search of "a better life," we might (read: I do) assume that this was a territory south of the wall. Faeries, after the war, were not allowed to stay in the southern part of the continent.

Why do I find this interesting? Why have I spent 800 years getting to this point about an alchemist from Xian? Why do I even think alchemy is worth spending this much time thinking about when this is the only time we encounter it in ACOTAR?

Well, because it's not the only time we encounter it in the SJM multiverse.

So, in TOG, there are alchemists on the Southern continent who provide really important firelances to Aelin & co.'s fight against the Valg. A magical, very effective weapon that non-magical beings can use... and it's so impressive Aelin is relieved that her waning fire magic will be supported by such... firepower.

You know what else conveniently pops on the Southern continent in TOG? Healers and their Torre Cesme... Yrene Towers ilu. Isn't it just so coincidental that the Dawn Court's powers just so happen to be healing powers? And that in the TOG world there's an entire Fae healer community that relocated to the Southern Continent, bred healing powers into the mortal population, and then just... disappears? And also like are dead in crypts that are unbreakable for Valg related reasons, but I digress.

And something else that's fun is that Thesan and Nuan aren't even the only characters in that scene to get a cryptic allusion to a familiar sounding Southern continent that is notably... not one we've met via ACOTAR.

When Feyre describes Helion (it always comes back to him doesn't it?) in, yes, that meeting of the High Lords at the Dawn Court... I swear to all these freaking gods I didn't plan this! Anyway, she "all the sudden for some weird reason" starts thinking about a place her dad (feeling like I have to do a deep dive on Papa Archeron because the more I research not looking for him the more he pops up) visited as a merchant — south-eastern kingdom that sounds suspiciously Antica from Tower of Dawn. And we know when she thinks fondly of her father's merchant days she also always brings up spices... so there's that. (worth noting that this scene with Helion is BIG in my pt. 2 post)

So, obviously we get allusions to actual empires/places within these "different realms" in the SJM multiverse. Xi'an is the name of a real province in China (and has gifted the world so much food-wise and i'm sure countless other ways but I wont rest until I have cuminy lamby noodles asap) and the Khagnate/Southern Continent of the TOG world draws inspiration from the Mongol Empire (how I feel about SJM's... useage of these empires is it's own separate convo). It also includes a lot of the territories where alchemy sprung up independently and thrived that I mentioned before.

Sadly I'm out of images I can post (holy crap), so just... google it

Cool so we've got a lot of relevant territories covered here re: their SJM multiverse parallel.

Obviously Amren is the mystery that keeps giving and tons of people have their theories about her... and I guess SJM at one point said she's some kind of archangel... personally? IDK! Do I think it's strange, in my untangling of this curious maybe from another world territory population, that Amren... a being we know is from another world chose a Xian fae body? Yup! Especially because the southern continent, as we learn in Tower of Dawn from the Stygian Spyders (her handmaidens... which is what I thought Amren could have been, but that's not my theory battle I choose to fight) that there was a big ol' door/portal/whatever that Maeve walked herself and clique through. Hm...

Also, let us not forget when Nuan casually mentioned in her alchemic practice that the "Mother provides everything [they] need on this earth." What does she know that we doooon't?

And while I know I've wanted more, more of the other solar courts — I think perhaps they've been held back because they'll play an integral role in whatever happens next. I mean in addition to everything else Thesan's got a population of winged beings that sound suspiciously like Midgard's angels and Helion's got the only flying horsies (and libraries... I cannot stress how preoccupied I am with libraries in these worlds).

Re: Dawn Court... light-filled healers in TOG (specifically Yrene) play an essential role when it comes to the Valg (who we're not 100% are also the Asteri or Daglan, but let's say they're in the same fam). Yrene can "cure" the people the Valg infect and *the biggest of TOG spoilers* she kills the big bad Valg with her powers. But before she does that... Erawan (which will always just remind me of the fancy shmancy grocery store) wants to capture her and says her powers/what she can do goes far beyond what she understands... and... at the end of the day... us too... SARAH!!!

I will be doing a verrrry deep dive into TOG-world healers because every single page I read describing... like anything about them was making my SJM insanity senses tingle. We haven't spent a lot of time with Thesan and his powers, but we know Feyre's blood can heal others so... curious to see where that one leads.

But the other thing we've got in TOG is a lot of people of varying... let's call them heritages having varied power abilities... and even humans being able to use magic (like wyrdmarks). They've also got a god city and scions and I simply cannot spend anymore time going on tangents here, but know I only have more questions... no answers... help.

OMG we made it. To recap we've got: connections to other faerie realms (whether in ACOTAR or the multiverse which would implicate some world walking), we've got alchemists/alchemy, we've got healers, we've got two light wielding courts with some magic overlap and, and at the very least, magic irregularities. We've got gods all over the place. We've got... so many questions... but hopefully some thought provoking parallels!

If I had to make my very bold "conclusion" to whatever hellscape of a hypothesis this is it's that I do believe the Dawn Court and the Day Court have some mix and matching travel/world walking situations with the southern continent in TOG and ditto for that relationship regarding more elemental fae and Midgard. And with alchemy (that I really hope either exists in this world, manifests as just witches like babes I'll take it) acting as the connecting thread between the power balances of the worlds... idk I think we're gonna get some answers there. And I think perhaps they'll be very important to connecting the worlds.

Mostly... this is my plea to SJM to bring back Nuan! Tell us about the other glowing boys (Thesan & Helion).

Seriously, if you read any of this... thank you and just know I'm sending you a little virtual kiss. Ok, let's both go touch some grass now.

Pt. II is mostly written and coming to a tumblr near you soon.

[petertingle-yipyip]

SIN MIEDO - BUCKY BARNES (THREE)

EPISODE THREE : POWER BROKER

series tags: @calums-betch​​ // SM masterlist // another madripoor gif bc i loved those scenes

Pairing: Stark!Reader x Bucky Barnes (platonic/flirty)

Word Count: 9,209

Summary: Leaving John Walker in the dust, Y/N had to follow Barnes to a shifty contact. That leads them to Madripoor and an unexpected, and suspicious, ally. Juggling her grief, her control, her own doubts, the pressure of Walker on their tail, and a school girl crush, can she handle the fight?

The next day, the three of you found yourselves in Berlin. You weren’t surprised how easy it was to get through security. Flashing a smile and an ID with Stark on it opened pretty much any door. Surely it had nothing to do with Sam working with the Air Force again.

“Last time I was in Germany, we weren’t on the same side.” You commented nostalgically as you three followed the security guard. “How the tables have turned.”

“I’m gonna go in alone.” Barnes said as you all approached the last corridor.

“Not a chance.” You laughed as Sam said “Why?”

“You’re Avengers..” Barnes reasoned. “You know how he feels about that.”

“It’s not like you two were known for frolicking in the sun together.” Sam mocked.

“He was obsessed with HYDRA. We have a history. Trust me, I got it.” Barnes assured before turning to leave. When Sam didn’t stop him, you did.

Quickly you reached out and grabbed his wrist. You made no effort to pull him back and he didn’t exactly pull away from you. He looked back at you with a stern expression, that he wasn’t going to cave.

“You’re not going alone, Barnes.” You said seriously, tightening your grip on his wrist slightly.

“Y/N-“ He tried.

“No.” You cut in. “I don’t care. I can do this all day.” You offered with a slight smirk.

He chewed the inside of his cheek for a moment before caving. He nodded slightly, his expression betraying that he was slightly impressed. “Fine. Hurry up.” He said, nodding for you to follow.

“Yessir, Sergeant Barnes.” You chuckled as you followed behind Barnes. The comment earned you an eye roll and a scoff, but nothing was said.

“You sure you want to do this?” You checked as you two waited for security to let you in. “I can handle it on my own..”

“I can do it.” He nodded as you approached the cell.

“I’m sure you can.” You shrugged casually. “It was more about if you wanted to.”

You stayed a couple steps behind Barnes, using the shadows to stay mostly out of sight. You didn’t want to talk to Zemo, let alone be in the room. But part of you wanted to make sure that nothing happened. You didn’t know if you could stop Barnes if Zemo triggered the Winter Soldier, but you probably had the best shot.

You watched Barnes’ body language carefully. From your angle, you could see the look on his face. The tension of his shoulders. The hand you could see was in a tight fist. There was a certain fear in his eyes, in the way his jaw clenched. You could tell that a part of him, even if it was a small part, was scared that Zemo would send him back to the Winter Soldier.

Zemo tried the trigger words but earned no reaction from Barnes. You let out a breath of relief and saw Barnes’ shoulders relax as that tension left him. You didn’t doubt that Barnes had control, that his time in Wakanda was enough to rid his mind of HYDRA’s influence, but you also knew Zemo was crafty. You didn’t trust that he didn’t have a couple tricks up his sleeve. But then again… So did you.

“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.” Zemo said, catching your attention. “It was never personal.”

“Seemed kinda personal.” You muttered to yourself. You were anxious, shifting your weight between your feet. You wondered what Sam was feeling back in the hallway but you couldn’t go back. The tension in your body was begging for a release, seemingly burning it’s way through your skin. There was a crackle of electricity between your fingers, a skill you hardly had a grip on. You only figured out how to use it in quick bursts or it would build itself up in moments of high tension.

“You brought a friend?” Zemo questioned, his eyes turning to you. You sunk deeper into the shadows.

“Someone recreated the super soldier serum.” Barnes said to redirect his attention. There was more control in his tone and it settled something anxious in the pit of your stomach. “I need to find out who.”

“You’re assuming HYDRA has something to do with this.” Zemo said simply, studying Barnes as he spoke. The expression Zemo held, the way he was looking at Barnes like an experiment, tempted you to reveal yourself. Something about it made your skin crawl, but you knew you had to refrain. You needed the info. “Which is why you came to me, which means you’re desperate…” A smug tone laced his voice and made you want to gag. “Lucky for you, and your friend in the shadows, I know where to begin.”

“And in exchange?” You finally spoke, stepping into the small sliver of light and taking your place beside Barnes. “What’s it going to take?”

His sly smile made you instantly regret the question.

Without explaining anything to Sam, you and Barnes led him to a series of tunnels underground. You opted to remain silent through the endeavor, knowing you wouldn’t be able to explain it right. While Sam pestered Barnes about the plan, you were busy finding the best route.

You kept one hand against the concrete wall, tapping your fingers to feel the vibrations. The tunnels were empty save for you three. They lead to a basement where you stopped for Barnes to walk Sam through a “hypothetical”.

“Please tell me this is an actual hypothetical.” Sam looked to you. In the meantime, you were toying with balls of air in your palm. You were balancing on them in a handstand.

“Yeah.” You lied. “It’s a hypothetical.”

Barnes continued to explain everything while you purposefully distracted yourself. You weren’t a huge fan of this plan, but Barnes had a point. Zemo offered a starting point. Walker had nothing. You guys had nothing. Though you’d never admit it, you needed Zemo.

“Speak of the devil.” You commented when you felt his footsteps approaching. You landed back on your feet as Zemo entered the room.

“You’re going back to prison.” Sam insisted.

“If I may-“ Zemo tried.

“No!” Sam and Barnes yelled simultaneously.

“Sorry.” You said with a shrug, bringing your forearms up and slamming them together. The movement called walls of earth to rise and trap Zemo in a thick rock casing. “It’s nothing personal.”

“When Steve refused to sign the Accords, you backed him.” Barnes countered.

“You broke the law and stuck your neck out for him.” You added.

“I distinctly remember you-“ Sam pointed to you. “-were on the other side.”

“My name’s not anywhere on that document.” You corrected. “I was a minor. Wouldn’t have been legally binding.”

“I’m asking you to do it again.” Barnes tried.

“I really think I’m invaluable-“ Zemo began again.

“Shut up!” You groaned, lifting the rock to meet his chin. “I will go all the way up.” You threatened before turning your attention back to the boys. “I’m with Barnes. I know it’s crazy but it’s the best shot we got. And we gotta move fast cause Walker is working on this too.”

“Okay.” Sam agreed finally. You dropped the rock prison and looked to the boys. “You don’t make a move without our permission.”

“Fair.” Zemo nodded.

“Otherwise, you deal with me.” You said simply. His eyebrows raised in interest, a slight challenge glinting in his eyes. You lifted your hand in front of your face, palm to the side. As you lowered your hand, you angled it so your fingertips pointed at Zemo. You saw his muscles tighten as he struggled but gave in to your control and went down to his knees.

“Dad once said the best weapon was the weapon you only had to fire once.” You said as if you were contemplating the words. “Let’s hope he was right.” You released Zemo before Sam spoke up.

“So where do we start?” He asked.

While Zemo was collecting his things from one of the cars, he explained where to start. He mentioned a woman named Selby as a starting point.

“This whole time you were rich?” Sam asked wildly as you approached a private jet.

“I’m a Baron, Sam.” Zemo answered in a matter of fact tone. “My family was royalty until you destroyed my country.”

“Eh.” You shrugged. “The Stark jet is nicer.”

You sat across from Barnes while Sam sat across from Zemo. You weren’t too interested in conversation. You didn’t know where you were going, nor did you really care. The sudden movement of Barnes made you snap to attention.

“If you touch that again, I’ll kill you.” Barnes threatened lowly with a hand at Zemo’s throat.

“At ease, soldier.” You reached over to tug on Barnes’ jacket. After a moment’s hesitation, he came and sat back down.

“I understand that list of names. People you’ve wronged as the Winter Soldier.” Zemo said with a solemn nod. He gestured between you and Barnes. “What I don’t understand is the relationship here. Are you two… involved?”

“Don’t push it.” Barnes muttered angrily as you simply rolled your eyes.

Sam talked about the book, that it used to be Steve’s. He bragged about how he suggested something for Steve to write in it. You remembered you had suggested some things for him to look into too, your favorite had been all the horror movies you got him to add.

Sam and Barnes then bickered about the Troubleman soundtrack, to which Zemo chimed in. You groaned slightly, throwing your head back and staring at the ceiling. The conversation quickly shifted to Steve and super soldiers, mildly peaking your interest.

“Cities fly. Innocent people die.” Zemo carried on.

“You forget who you’re talking to.” You laughed in disbelief.

“Pardon?”

“You’re talking about Sokovia… I was there. And my dad nearly died - yet again - trying to save the world… Trying to fix his mistake but no one cared about that part, right?.”

“Only nearly..” He agreed. “I think it’s fair to say the Avengers, none of you were really innocent.”

“And he actually did die to bring back half the universe so excuse me if I don’t share your bitterness.”

“It seems that you do, Y/N.” He analyzed, watching the response your eyes gave away.

“Shut it.” You rolled your eyes.

Conversation quickly shifted to Madripoor. Zemo and Barnes explained what it’s like, what it was. It sounded like a place out of a book, but given that your career was fighting A.I. powered robots and a giant genocidal purple lunatic, nothing was surprising anymore.

“James, you will have to become someone you claim is gone.” Zemo told Barnes.

A solemn expression came over Barnes. You couldn’t tell if it was regret, remorse, or something else. You leaned forward, resting elbows on your knees. You nodded to motion Barnes to come closer. He leaned forward in the same way.

“You sure you’re okay with this?” You asked quietly. “We can find another way, or we can do this witho-“

“I’m not sitting out.” He cut in. “I’ll be fine. Why do you keep trying to sideline me?”

“You won’t be alone.” You offered genuinely. “Sam and I got your back.”

Later that night, you walked the bridge that led to Madripoor. 

“So who am I supposed to be, exactly?” You asked after Zemo had explained Sam’s character for the night.

“Rosalinda Calvillo Del Santos.” He said, showing you a picture of the girl. “Heiress to a huge cartel ring out of Mexico City.”

“Woah, she’s hot.” You nodded, slightly impressed. “And this dress… Seems like it perfectly matches her style.”

You motioned to the dress you wore. It was a tight, short black silk dress with a 4 inch slit up the right side that showed off your body beautifully. The chest of the dress hung perfectly to keep you covered but still catch attention. The straps were silver jewels in a halter style while additional pieces of thin black silk stretched across your back in a criss cross pattern. 

“She's also a bit sadistic.” Zemo added nonchalantly. “But I’m sure you’ll play that just fine.”

“Fun.” You nodded.

“She kinda does look like you.” Sam commented as he leaned over to see the picture while he adjusted the cuffs of his jacket.

“She can’t be that hot then.” Bucky said sarcastically.

“Oh shut up.” You laughed as you pushed Barnes slightly. “You’re just used to girls in the 40’s and the whole modest look, huh?”

“Yeah yeah.” He rolled his eyes. “You ever gonna retire the old man jokes?”

“Maybe, but you have to admit how good I look.” You countered.

“Not a chance, little lady.” He smiled and shot a wink your way as he opened the car door for you.

“Well, Sergeant Barnes, what a gentleman.” You said sarcastically, holding a hand to your chest. “I’m so flattered.” You patted his chest as you sat down, scooting to sit in the middle.

The car ride was quick, although the motorcycles that surrounded your vehicle put you on edge a bit. The cold feeling of Barnes’ vibranium arm pressing against your own arm was the only thing that managed to keep you from burning through the car.

“The bracelet needs to come off.” Zemo pointed out on your walk to the bar.

“Excuse me?” You answered quickly, your opposite hand moving quickly to defend the metal cuff.

“Rosalinda only wears gold. She’s never been seen with anything else.”

“But this bracelet is-“

“Hideous” Zemo cut in.

“No! It’s from my dad, jackass!” You argued and stopped your steps.

“Here, let me have it.” Barnes held his hand out, to which you simply took a step away from him. “Y/N, come on.”

“No, I- I can’t take it off.”

Barnes sighed slightly before sliding two fingers under the collar of his shirt to pull a small chain out. He reached behind his neck to unclasp it before offering it to you. “Put your bracelet on here. Nothing’s going to happen to it.” Barnes explained.

“What are…” You asked softly as you reached for the chain. Your fingers grazed the small metal shapes dangling at the end, turning them so you could read the inscriptions. “James Buchanan Barnes..” You read silently. “These are your tags.. Barnes, I can’t ask you to-“

“You’re not asking. I’m offering.”

“Y/N..” Sam tried gently. “It won’t be that long, I promise.”

“Okay, fine.” You agreed reluctantly. You handed Barnes back his chain before reaching for your cuff. You put two fingers together above the metal cuff, focusing on separating it enough to slide your wrist out. Your eyes lingered on the band of lighter skin that was hidden by the cuff, proving to everyone around you that you never took it off. Once you freed your wrist, the cuff circled the fingers you used to open it. You glided it to hook over Barnes’ chain, connecting your fingers again to reconnect the metal. “Please don’t lose it.. It means everything to me.”

“Trust me.” He nodded as he reclasped his chain around his neck. He tucked the tags and your bracelet under his shirt and patted it lightly. You smiled gently in thanks before turning back to the door.

“Good. Now, escort her in.” Zemo instructed Bucky. Barnes held out an arm for you to take so you looped yours through his, making Zemo click his tongue at you. “Other side.”

“What difference does it make?” You asked in annoyance.

“The Del Santos family -especially Rosalinda- loves to show power.” He explained. “Having the Winter Soldier makes you powerful, but being on that side-“ He pointed to Barnes’ metal arm. “-shows it off… They also know how to barter for that power, if you know what I mean.” He gave you a pointed look and nodded towards Barnes, assuming you would understand what he meant. You hoped it wouldn’t come to that, but you understood.

“So treat him like a trophy?” You replied with a raised brow as you stepped around to switch sides. “Easy enough.”

“Oh god.” Barnes mumbled under his breath. “Don’t abuse this.”

“I think you’ll like being shown off a little.” You smirked slightly, keeping your head high as you followed Barnes’ lead into the building. “I’ll try not to go too far.”

Like flipping a switch, you fell into character once you stepped into the crowd and instantly made a statement.

“Listo para cumplir, Soldado de Invierno?” You said simply, keeping your head high and shoulders back as you followed Barnes through the crowd.

You heard the whispers, asking if that was really the Winter Soldier. You had to admit, it gave you a feeling of pride in your chest to see everyone look at you in awe. The respect in their eyes when they met yours was interesting. It was different from the respect you got as Y/N Stark. There was an underlying tone of fear in the looks as well.

Your small group stayed at the bar, Barnes kept his head on a swivel while you leaned your elbows on the bar top behind you. You lazily turned your head to check on Sam but saw the bartender slicing open a snake.

“Al menos no tengo que hacer nada que… asqueroso.” You said to Barnes before chuckling. He made a small sound of agreement, the tiniest hint of a smile toying with his features. “Vamos. Diviértete, soldado.”

“Mi misión es protegerte.” He replied in a flat, monotonous voice.

“Ay, díos.” You groaned, turning to face the bartender. “Señor? Bourbon, neat. Please.”

“Since when do you drink, Santos?” He nodded in amusement as he poured your drink.

“Well, it’s been a rough week.” You sighed, lifting the glass in thanks. “Put it on my friend’s tab.” You winked at Zemo before turning back to look at the busy crowd.

“You lot aren’t welcome here.” A bald man came up to Zemo.

“We have no business with the Power Broker.” Zemo started. “But if he insists…”

“He can come and talk to me.” You cut in, resting a hand on Barnes’ shoulder and sipping your drink. “Or bring Selby for a chat.” You shrugged.

“What do you know about the Power Broker?” Sam asked when the man was out of earshot.

“Here he is judge, jury, and executioner.” Zemo said quickly.

“We’ve got company.” You said into your drink. You set the cup down and cleared your throat. “Soldado de Invierno, hora de ir a trabajar.”

The man reached a hand for your shoulder but was instantly snatched by Barnes. You had to give it to him. He was a very convincing actor. It seemed easy for him to slip back into that person, to become the Winter Soldier. You knew it wasn’t really him, but the violent scene in front of you was hard to deny.

Sam saw it too. He looked to you in concern, hearing the same click of the guns that you did. You easily took the few steps to stand between him and Zemo.

“Don’t worry.” You said simply, maintaining the cocky smirk you wore as Barnes did his work. “He’s got this.. But that’s not what that look is about, is it?” You glanced at Sam and saw the expression on his face. It held concern for Barnes but also the flash of a memory when the Winter Soldier attacked you all after the UN bombing.

“You break character and this whole bar is against us.” You used your glass to cover your lips while you spoke. “I don't like this either but-

Before you finished your sentence, Barnes slammed a man on the bar top by his throat. You instantly slipped back into character to respond.

“Buen trabajo, querido soldado.” You giggled with a pat on his chest. He let the man go as the bartender told you Selby was ready. You swallowed the rest of your drink before putting the cup back on the bar.

“Vamos.” You nodded. Barnes held an arm out for you to take, which you quickly did. 

“You okay?” Sam asked Barnes quietly as you followed Zemo to Selby. A sharp nod was the only response Sam got.

You let Zemo talk to Selby since you had no idea who the woman was. You stayed towards the back of the room with Sam and Barnes, your arms still linked. The cold metal against your arm was the only thing that kept you from bursting into flames.

It was easy enough to be Rosalinda. Confident, powerful, demanding respect, beautiful and a little flirty. It mildly shocked you that you could play into her sadism. You didn’t know where you pulled that from. Maybe Nat taught you better than you thought. Outside of that, Rosalinda was close enough to a Stark that you didn’t feel like you were pretending too much. And lucky for you, you learned Spanish as a child. It was the people that knew her that worried you. One wrong mannerism, one wrong saying, and the whole thing was blown.

“What’s the offer?” Selby asked after an attempted flirt with Sam. You caught Zemo’s signal, a silent attempt to tell you it was your turn. 

“I suppose it’s more my offer.” You spoke up.

“I didn’t know Calvillos travelled this far.” Selby smiled mischievously. 

“Well I heard you like to play hard ball.” You said with a sly smile. “Del Santos can play too. My offer is him. The Winter Soldier, el soldado de invierno.” You offered confidently, walking a small circle around Barnes. “And the words to control him, of course.”

You traced your fingers along his shoulders, across his back and down his metal arm. You felt him tense under your touch, but his demeanor never faltered. “He will do anything you want.” You added, facing Barnes and gently running your hands down his arms. “I’m sorry.” You whispered honestly. Your expression reset to a playful pride as you spun to take your original place beside Barnes and watched for Selby’s reaction.

“This is a fun surprise. I’m glad I didn’t kill you all immediately.” She said happily.

“You have information I want.” You stepped in front of Barnes, blocking him from her line of sight. “You give me everything I need and I give you him.”

She bit her lower lip as she smiled. Her eyes looked Barnes up and down, and it made you want to gag.

“Hello? Are we going to do business or are you going to ogle him all night?” You asked in annoyance as you crossed your arms.

“A bit testy tonight.” She said with an entertained smirk and your pulse jumped. “You were right to come to me.” She said with a nod. “The serum is here, in Madripoor. You’re gonna want to talk to Dr. Wilfred Nagel. Power Broker had him work on it but it didn’t go as planned.”

“Is Nagel still here?”

“Crumbs for free but the bakery will cost you.” She wagged a finger at you. “And before you get cute, you can’t find Nagel with me.”

Before either you or Zemo could offer a rebuttal, Sam’s phone went off. You felt in your bones that it wasn’t going to work out well if he answered that call.

As Sam was on the phone, which Selby made him answer on speaker, she circled you and Barnes. You nodded towards Sam, allowing Barnes to take a few steps away from you.

Before you knew it, your cover was blown and the shot rang out. Selby was dead and the boys easily took down the other two guys in the room.

“This is going to come back to us.” You said as you stood on the other side of the room, as far from her body as you could be.

“Just drop the weapons and follow my lead.” Zemo said, trying to gain control of the situation.

Without other options, you all followed Zemo out and through the streets of Madripoor. Every turn you took, you felt more and more eyes upon you. Phones buzzed every second and you could only assume it was word spreading of Selby’s death.

“I don’t like this.” You muttered.

As soon as the words left your mouth, gun shots sounded. Barnes grabbed your hand and began running with you following close behind. You ducked the shots and grabbed Barnes’ hand a little tighter. You turned to see Sam struggling to keep up.

“I can’t run in these heels!” Sam yelled.

“Try running in stilettos and a mini skirt.” You replied in annoyance.

“You want to stop them?” Barnes tried.

“I can’t really focus right now.” You answered with an eye roll. You were going to stop and try lifting a rock wall behind you or creating a gust to push them back or even try to summon a quick lightning burst.

Shots came from a high window and took out the two men behind you before you tried to fight back. Zemo came out from behind a dumpster and made a stupid comment about a guardian angel.

“What a coward.” You sneered, Barnes holding you back when you made a move to slap the Baron.

“This is too perfect.” A familiar voice came from the shadows. You pulled away from Barnes and called a small flame to your palm. “Drop it, Zemo.”

“Sharon?” Barnes asked. 

“You cost me everything.” She ignored you guys. You didn’t let the fire go out. 

“Wait, Sharon.” Sam tried. “Someone recreated the super soldier serum. Zemo had a lead.”

“That explains why you guys are here and why Selby’s dead.”

“Why are you here?” You asked carefully.

“I stole Steve’s shield, remember?” She scoffed. “And I took the wings for your ass-“ She pointed her gun at Sam. “-so you could save his ass-“ Her gun pointed to Barnes. “-from his ass.” Her gun landed on Zemo. “I didn’t have the Avengers to back me up so I’m in Madripoor.”

Sam tried reasoning with Sharon but got nowhere.

“We need your help.” You tried and let the flame in your palm die out. “Please. We- We didn’t have any other options…”

With a heavy sigh, Sharon told you all to follow her. You were the first to follow her footsteps. After a second, the other three came behind you. You were questioning the timing of Sharon’s reveal, but overall you were grateful she showed up. Things weren’t looking great up until then.

“Seems like being on the run treated you better than it treated Sam.” You commented as you looked around at Sharon’s place. 

“If I was going to be a hustler, I was gonna live like one.” She said, a hint of pride in her tone.

The three boys then talked about the art, and whether it was real or fake. Sam didn’t believe them until a quick google search told him the truth. Sharon made you all change your clothes, pulling out a whole rack of clothes for the boys to look through and letting you sift through her closet.

You decided on a fitted maroon wrap-style dress. It was a soft material, fitting the curves of your body perfectly. The spaghetti straps criss-crossed behind your neck. You kept your same black heels and made your way back to the group and took a seat with Barnes on the couch.

Sam and Sharon talked a bit, ridiculing the idea of heroes. She called it hypocrisy, claiming that’s why Sam gave up the shield.

“Wow.” You teased as you sat. “You clean up nice, Barnes.”

He smiled slightly at you. “Hey, I didn’t know you spoke Spanish.” He said simply.

“Huh?” His statement took you by surprise. It wasn’t the response you expected. “Right. Yeah, I learned it when I was a kid. Dad tried to teach me French but Spanish was more natural cause my mom's side of the family.”

“You look good too, by the way.” He added and gave you a slight nudge. “Cause I know that’s what you wanted to hear.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Your face.” He said simply. “You give away a lot of emotions in your face.”

“I do not!” You insisted quietly with a chuckle, smacking his arm.

“Yes, you do.” He laughed with a nod.

“Wait a second…” You paused, crossing your legs and leaning towards him. “Were you just nice to me?” You teased with a wide smile.

“Don’t push it.” He chuckled.

“Hey... I’m sorry about using you as bait with Selby. I figured that’s what Zemo was hinting at… It didn’t seem like there was any room for me to say no.” You said honesty. The look in his eyes when you dangled him in front of Selby, you could tell it brought back so much of his trauma. That inability to say ‘no’. You truly had felt wrong for doing it. “I shouldn’t have-“

“Y/N.” Barnes said and put a hand on your leg. Your words were cut off instantly. “It’s alright.. It was for the mission.”

“That doesn’t make it right.” You said softly. “You’re not just an asset or a trophy. You’re my friend.”

“How is the new Cap, by the way?” Sharon asked, drawing your attention.

“Don’t even get me started.” Barnes shook his head.

You dropped your head back to look at her over the back of the couch. “He thought he could bail me out of jail and we’d be best friends.”

“He really thought you needed bail money? ” She laughed as she came around to sit with you two. “And you. You were Mr. America before you were his pet psychopath.” She told Barnes. “Cap’s best friend.”

“She’s kind of awful now.” Barnes said to you.

“She was always kinda awful.” You mumbled while Sam refocused everyone.

“You guys shouldn’t be involved in this.” She said, as if she was warning you. “For your own safety.”

“We got a name.” You added, not leaving any room for discussion. Something about the way Sharon talked to you led you to hold suspicions. “Wilfred Nagel.”

“Nagel works for the Power Broker.” She explained.

“I can get your name cleared, Sharon. But we need your help.” Sam tried.

“I don’t buy that.”

“They cleared the bionic staring machine and he killed almost everyone he met.”

“I heard that.” Barnes said, which drew a small laugh from you.

“I don’t trust charity.” Sharon countered.

“Let’s call it a deal then.” Sam offered.

“Fine.” She shook Sam’s hand. “Lay low. Enjoy the party. And stay out of trouble.”

“I do like a good party.” You smiled as you stood. You held a hand out to Barnes, who groaned before pushing himself up.

He held an arm out to you but before you took it, you turned to face him straight on. You casually adjusted his suit jacket before your hands moved across his chest. Your hands went to his neck while he watched your hands carefully. You slid both pointer fingers under the collar of his shirt and he tensed slightly. You pulled his chain out and held it with one hand and used the other to release your bracelet. You fit the metal cuff back to its rightful place on your wrist with a proud smile. 

“Didn’t give anything away that time, did I, James?” You said quietly, shooting him a quick wink.

“Shall we?” You asked happily, turning to face Zemo and Sam.

Even though you had a point in being in Madripoor and it definitely wasn’t a party, you were excited for the party. It would be nice to relax, not feel any guilt over your father. Any grief over Nat. Any anger at John Walker. And stress about being an Avenger. You could just be a twenty one year old kid and have fun for the first time in what felt like ever.

You lost the boys in the crowd rather quickly. But it wasn’t a heavy thought in your mind to stay with them. What seemed to bounce around in your brain were your interactions with Barnes through the day. You couldn’t quite figure out if you were flirting with him intentionally or just habitually.

You brushed it off temporarily as your personality. You were a Stark after all. And Starks tend to flirt with anyone… Right?

Regardless, you weaved through the crowd and let yourself enjoy the party for a moment. You enjoyed the music, letting your body sway and spin with the vibrations. It was hard for you to tell where anyone was through the vibrations of the floor with the vibrations from the speakers, but you told yourself that wasn’t your problem. Barnes and Sam would be fine for a little while. You weren’t sure how long you had been dancing when you heard the boy beside you.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you around before.” A boy said from your side.

Turning, you were met by a very beautiful boy. He was a bit taller than you, dark brown curly hair that fell messily across his forehead. You couldn’t tell the color of his eyes, only that they were looking at you with admiration. You couldn’t help but smile at him.

“I’m just passing through.” You answered vaguely. Given your previous escapades through Madripoor, you wanted to be as discreet as you could until you were able to leave.

“You come with anyone?”

“Just a few friends..”

“No boyfriend?”

“A boyfriend?” You repeated with a laugh. “I wouldn’t say that.”

“Girlfriend?” He tried.

“No.” You laughed slightly. “I’ve been out of the dating game for a few years, actually.” You snapped your fingers to show what you meant.

“You’re too pretty to be at a party alone.” He shamelessly flirted.

“Well I’m not alone.” You corrected. “This is actually a friend’s party.”

“Your friends with the Power Broker?”

Before you could voice a response, a hand found your arm. You quickly looked over and saw Barnes at your side, only his eyes weren’t on you. They were on the new guy.

“I thought you didn’t have a boyfriend?” The boy said nervously.

“Come on, Sarge.” You chuckled, noticing the staring and tense shoulders resembled jealousy. But for Barnes, distrust and suspicion was a more likely reaction. “It was nice to meet you.” You told the kid before pushing Barnes to move.

You couldn’t help but wonder… If the party was the Power Broker’s, but Sharon was hosting like it was her party.. Could Sharon be the Power Broker? Or closer involved than she led you to believe at least?

The next morning, you were all walking through an old shipping yard. Sharon was smart enough to grab you a more practical outfit, a skinny fit pair of black pants and a fitted light blue long sleeve and better shoes. You followed Sharon’s lead to crate. While she stayed for lookout, your group of four went in.

You knocked with one hand and felt the vibrations change at the end. You nodded towards the back of the container so Zemo went to take a look and exposed a secret door.

Sam and Barnes went in first, you behind them, and Zemo behind you. The guys tried to get you to take a gun but you adamantly refused, telling them you were a terrible shot and you had weapons of your own. Sam tried talking to Nagel, but he tried to run instead. Instantly, Nagel froze when he saw Barnes.

“You know who he is, right?” You chuckled, something intimidating dancing in your words. It was something you normally didn’t hear in your voice. You usually weren’t the intimidating type but things were different…You were different. “There’s Baron Zemo and me… Well, you’ll see.”

“How about a counter proposal?” Nagel tried. You ignored Sharon’s warnings in your ear. “Make me a better offer and I’ll talk.”

“Your life isn’t enough?” Your brows raised as you challenged him. You nodded slightly before raising your hand. Your fingers lazily pointed straight up as you grabbed hold of Nagel’s blood. “You don’t know what I’m capable of, do you?”

“Maybe she’s the intimidating one.” Zemo said, an odd respect in his voice.

You forced Nagel to his knees while Sam kept his gun pointed at him. “I can manipulate air too… I wonder if I could pull it from your lungs since you refuse to talk.”

“Okay, okay!” Nagel broke and told you the whole story after you released him. You were getting good at your new blood trick, and that mildly worried you but you had to push it to the back of your mind. Parts of his story included Siberia, an American who you could only assume was Isaiah Bradley, the Snap, and the Power Broker.

You caught the name Donya Madani, committing it to memory. If she was someone Karli wanted to help, she was someone that could lead you to her.

“Is there any serum in this lab?” Barnes asked. When Nagel didn’t answer, he pressed the gun to the man’s temple.

“No!” He said quickly. “But would she-“ He gestured to you. “-be incredible with it.”

“Thanks, but that’s a question I don’t need answered.” You crossed your arms and leaned against the wall behind you.

“The pure power you hold..” He continued and let out a devious chuckle. “You’re not at all curious?”

“I’m not the kind of person who deserves it.. Trust me. There’s probably as much blood on my hands as his.” You nodded to Barnes. “Just different motives.”

“Aren’t you tired of depending on them to help you? To save you?”

“I know my value. Anyone else’s opinion doesn’t really matter.”

The rest happened too fast to process in that moment. Sharon burst in. Zemo shot Nagel and that drew an interesting reaction from Sharon. And an explosion went off. Barnes had pulled you out of the way before you could get caught up in the blast. 

Your head spun mildly from the quick movement and your ears rang violently. You tried to shake it off but that seemed to only make it worse. You felt a warm stream down the side of your head and realized a loose piece of shrapnel had sliced your forehead.

“You alright?” Barnes asked, helping you to your feet. “Y/N? Are you alright?”

“Yeah.. Yeah, I’m fine.” You nodded, mildly disoriented. Looking around, you saw the smoke gathering in the room. You put a hand above your head, using it to keep the smoke at the top of the room.

“Ah shit.” He muttered, pushing the loose hair out of your face. “You’re bleeding.”

“I’m fine.” You pushed his hand away. “We gotta go. These chemicals are going to go off any second and I doubt I can save us from that.”

You got Sharon to her feet while Barnes got Sam. Sam asked about Zemo, but that was the least of your concerns. You four had to get out of there before you were trapped.

You tried using your powers to move the shipping containers or pull a piece of the wall apart but it was too heavy to do in such a hectic environment. There was too much going on for you to really focus. Once you were out, the boys started arguing about whose fault it was. 

“Not the time!” You shouted at them, your back against one of the fallen containers. “We’re blocked in and you three are out of bullets. So either I can try to handle this or we stay here and get caught. Either way, you need to zip it so one of us can come up with something.”

“Just use your pow-“ Barnes tried.

“I can’t do anything when you’re this loud!” You snapped. “Besides, the containers are too heavy. I’m not strong enough.”

You thought out loud to yourself. “I could try a concrete wall but I don’t know how long I can hold it if I’m worried about getting shot.” You chewed your lower lip in contemplation. “I’m too far to try the blood thing… They’re firing too many bullets for me to redirect back… What if I…”

It was so much easier when you had your dad to talk things out with. When you had someone smarter than you and could see a different angle, who could run the numbers and tell you your best chance, everything was so much easier.

“How are you going to handle it then?” Sharon challenged with an eye roll.

“You really don’t know a thing about me, do you?” You laughed in disbelief.

Before she could offer a rebuttal, there was another explosion. A smirk found its way to your face as you got an idea. You quickly hopped the barricade your group was stuck behind, despite the protests from Barnes and Sam. You slid under a hanging metal beam and popped up by the explosion. You shaped the flames away from you four and pushed it towards the people shooting at you. You used what was left as a wall to give you cover for you to get away.

“That’s how I’m going to handle it.” You said with your trademark Stark pride as you met back up with the group.

“You could've got yourself killed.” Sam reprimanded as you four had to duck into a separate container after a gunshot nicked your shoulder. Barnes launched a metal pole through one of the shooters’ shoulders like a javelin before shutting the door behind him.

“Okay.” You groaned, lighting a flame on two fingers. “That could've got me killed.” You ran the flame gingerly along the graze in an attempt to cauterize the wound and stop the bleeding.

“You’re an idiot.” Barnes grumbled.

“Who just saved your ass, huh?” You challenged as he opened the door when the shooting stopped.

“When are you gonna realize you’re not indestructible?”

“When are you gonna realize who you’re talking to?”

The heavy roar of an engine drew your attention and interrupted the sudden tension. The tension and attitude dissipated as soon as it came but you could tell it wasn’t going to be the last time that grievance was brought up.

“Supercharged.” Zemo said proudly as he pulled up in a sleek black car.

You let out a low whistle and nodded in approval. “She is a beaut.” You commented with an amused laugh. “Would it be wrong if I kept her after this?”

“You’re going back to jail.” Sam told him. “And you-“ He told you. “-aren’t keeping the car.”

“You’re no fun... Shut up and get in then.” You rolled your eyes. As Barnes climbed into the front seat, you went to the driver’s side - as if proving a point that you didn’t want to sit behind Barnes - and hopped over and into the backseat. “We still need him.”

Sam got in on the other side and after a quick conversation with Sharon, you were ready to go.

“You’re not gonna move your seat up, are you?” Sam asked.

“No.” Barnes said simply. You rolled your eyes at his childish antics. You leaned forward and tugged his sleeve to get his attention.

“Move your seat up.” You insisted.

“I’m not gonna move my seat.”

“Why not?”

“He didn’t move his seat for me so I’m not-“

“Solo tienes que mover el maldito asiento, Barnes.”

“No me voy a mover“

“Venga, muévete.”

“Por qué debería?“

“Cállate y mueve el maldito asiento. Hmm?” You patted his chest before leaning back. Barnes scoffed, but slid forward slightly.

“Okay…” Sam started, leaning closer to you to speak quietly. “What the hell was that?”

“I’m fluent in Spanish.” You shrugged as you leaned to the middle and spoke in the same hushed tone. “Dad taught me when I was eight-ish. I use it for fun or when I’m trying to prove a point, hence the conversation you just saw. Why?”

“Not that… That.” He gestured to you with one hand and to Barnes with the other. “You guys have been flirting since-“

“Nope.” You shook your head and sat back again. “I’m not talking about that.”

“But you were! Why else would he listen to you?”

“What are you guys talking about back there?” Barnes tried.

“It’s above your pay grade, Barnes.” You answered without thought. “Anyways, Sam.” You turned back to Sam. “I’m a Stark. If there was any flirting, it’s harmless. Starks flirt with everyone.” You shrugged innocently.

“Mhmm.” Sam said unconvinced. “If you guys end up together and-“

“If we end up together I’ll be just as shocked as you.” You laughed. “But it’s not gonna happen. I’m pretty sure he hates me, deep down. You saw how he snapped at me a few minutes ago.”

“So just right now and the other day before Walker showed up, right? That’s what you’re basing this on?” Sam asked, gesturing a small circle in reference to the current scenario. You pressed your lips together in a line while you nodded. “But didn’t he make sure you didn’t make it worse after you got arrested?”

“Sure but-“

“Before we ran into Sharon, he reached for you, right?”

“Okay but wait-“

“And he pulled you out of the way of that blast?”

“I see what you’re saying but-“

“And he only seems to get mad at you when you get yourself hurt!”

“It’s coincidental!” You reasoned quickly with your hands up in surrender. “If he’s gonna like anyone, I highly doubt it’s gonna be me. Wanna know why?”

“Enlighten me.” Sam laughed.

“Cause I push every button I can with him.” You explained. “I annoy him and I talk shit to him and I don’t listen to him. I purposefully see what I can get away with. I’m his annoying roommate/best friend.”

“Right… Because that gimmick never leads to anything…” He rolled his eyes in amusement. “Whatever you say, Mini Stark.” He chuckled.

On the flight back, Sam and Barnes sat opposite each other while they talked. You opted to lay on the ground between them after healing your shoulder and other small scrapes, wanting something flat to let your back relax. As soon as you laid down, you felt your spine pop and practically reposition itself.

Your mind wandered back to the same thoughts it kept coming back to, with the newest additions to your messy brain. Your dad, and if you were doing right by him. Steve, and if you lived up to his expectations. Nat, and how she’d be proud to see you utilizing the skills she taught you. The boy at the party, his unintentional implications of Sharon and the Power Broker. And Barnes… Sam’s suggestion that you were purposefully flirting with Barnes had made you rethink your last interactions with him.

There were comments slipped in here or there, sure. You had played a bit when you took your bracelet back, sure. But were you flirting? Did you.. Did you have a crush on Barnes? No, no it was all in good fun. You didn’t really know him. Why would you flirt with someone you didn’t know? Right?

“Maybe I should’ve destroyed it.” Sam said, which instantly caught your attention.

“That shield represents a lot of things to a lot of people, including me.” Barnes said quickly.

“Yeah, me too.” You agreed from the floor. “My grandfather made that shield… It holds a special place in my heart, kinda the only physical thing from Howard...”

“The world is upside down and needs a new Cap.” Barnes started.

“And it’s not gonna be Walker.” You added.

“Before you destroy it, I’m going to take it from him myself.” He finished.

“Count me in, Barnes.” You said, sitting up when Zemo came down the aisle. You moved to sit by the side of Barnes’ chair and looked up at him. “In it together?” You asked, holding up a fist.

“Together.” He smiled slightly as he gave you the fist bump you waited for.

“Thanks, by the way.” You added softly as Zemo muttered something. “For keeping this safe-“ You shook your wrist. “-and for getting me out the way of that blast. I could’ve died but you didn’t let me.”

“I told you I wouldn’t let you die, Y/N.” He nodded. “You trust me yet?”

“Hmm, getting there.” You pondered playfully. “You’re making good progress, but it depends on if you’re still mad at me.”

“Why would I be mad at you?” His eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

“You yelled at me..” You realized how silly it was once you said it.

“You could've gotten hurt or even killed and I- I can’t have your blood on my hands too..”

“I know I’m not invincible…” You admitted heavily as you looked between Sam and Barnes. You knew Sam worried about you too, but he and Barnes had different ways of showing it. “I know I’m not Iron Man, but… But that’s the way I’ve always fought. It’s how I learned to fight. One time Steve told us ‘If you get hurt, hurt them back. And if you die, walk it off’.”

“Of course he did.” Barnes chuckled as Sam smiled fondly. 

“It’s what I've always followed. So yeah, I’m a little reckless but I can heal myself so I never worried… But I guess I can try to be more strategic if it would make you guys feel better.” You offered with a small smile.

It was nice to know you had people watching your back, two people by your side that would seemingly burn down the world if it took you. You felt safer than you had with anyone since your dad.

“Why do you call him Barnes?” Zemo asked suddenly. “I thought you were all friends.”

“Wait. Does it bother you?” You wondered honestly, looking to Barnes.

“No, just a little different.” He answered with a small shrug.

“Dad always called him Barnes. Not James, or even Bucky. Guess I picked it up from him. I never really thought about it, in all honesty.” You shrugged. 

“Yes, but that’s very business.” Zemo continued. “It’s so impersonal. If you two have a good relationship like you claim, or the type of relationship you two display… Shouldn’t you call him something more intimate?”

Using your powers, you plucked one of the ice cubes out of Zemo’s drink and flicked it towards his forehead. It smacked the center and left a wet square on his skin before plopping back in the cup. You smiled in amusement and looked to Barnes, who also enjoyed your little trick.

“Mind your business.” You chuckled, leaning your back against Barnes’ seat. You tilted your head back against the seat too, closing your eyes and letting out a sigh.

“Hey.” Barnes tapped a finger against your forehead. “Don’t sleep on the floor.”

“Stark?” Sam laughed from the other side of the aisle. “Get up, kid. There’s an open seat right here.”

“With the amount of times I’ve fallen asleep on the floor of my dad’s lab or in a desk chair leaning on a lab table or even on the lab table.” You laughed while you stayed in your spot. “This doesn’t bother me.”

“Get your ass up.” Barnes tried again.

“Too late!” You announced, dropping to the ground. “Good night.”

You woke up when you all landed. Even though you had napped on the floor, you didn’t wake feeling stiff or uncomfortable. You followed the boys out of the jet and through the Latvian streets.

It was a beautiful country, as many European countries were. Cobblestone streets that carried vibrations perfectly. Intricate stone buildings that were tall but not towering. Simple painted doors to break monotony.

“I don’t suppose any of you bothered visiting the memorial?” Zemo asked, referencing the memorial for Sokovia.

“I did..” You said softly, almost too quiet for anyone to hear.

“Did you?” Zemo was honestly surprised.

“After my dad’s funeral, when I moved out… There was a gap between leaving and moving in with Barnes. I didn’t know where else to go or who I was without Tony Stark. So I went to the memorial… It didn’t make anything clearer but it reminded me of a lot.”

“I’m sorry about your father.” Zemo said. You swore you heard sympathy playing in his voice. “He had his flaws but he was a good man.”

“Yeah, thanks, you and the rest of the world are sorry.” You said, somewhat bitterly. “He was the only permanent family I had. No one cared about me like he did.” You felt Sam and Barnes shoot you a look of confusion but you didn’t acknowledge it.

“What about the Avengers?”

“Yeah, they were great.” You shrugged slightly. “It just wasn’t quite the same. I was the most important thing to him, you know? Whenever I was feeling off, he was always there with something fun to distract me. Granted, that something fun was usually a new piece of tech he wanted to test, but it always worked to cheer me up. The world misses and mourns Iron Man, the CEO of Stark Industries and Earth’s best defender. No one other than me mourns my dad.” You explained as you noticed a change in Barnes’ demeanor.

“I’m gonna go for a walk.” He announced.

“You good?” Sam tried.

“Yeah. See you in a bit.” He nodded before taking off.

You lingered outside while Zemo went in. Sam turned in the doorway when he realized you hadn’t moved.

“Little Stark?” Sam asked. “You coming?”

“That was weird, wasn’t it?” You commented, pointing in the direction Barnes went. 

“Yeah but he’s weird.” Sam chuckled. “You know that…. Oh! I see what this is.”

“It’s not that.” You shook your head with an annoyed sigh.

“That’s exactly what it is.”

“Seriously? He’s our friend.”

“You don’t see me chasing after him.” Sam shrugged. “He’s a grown man, Y/N. If he wants to brood and take a walk, let him.”

“You didn’t see it.. Something caught his attention and made him leave.”

“Well I don’t just stare at him so no, I didn’t see anything.”

“Nat taught me to constantly watch my surroundings. To keep my head on a swivel… He saw something I didn’t, but I saw him see it. I just don’t know what exactly he saw.”

“Just come inside.” He sighed. “You can interrogate him when he comes back.”

“ Or I just go check on him… Cause I’m grown too and don’t have to listen to you.” You said carefully, hurrying after Barnes. You heard protests from Sam but none made you turn.

You made it to the alley where Barnes turned. You knelt at the corner, feeling the ground and knocking your knuckles against the stone. You closed your eyes to focus, picturing Barnes and an incoming familiar figure. With an amused smile, you turned the corner.

“Ayo.” You said happily. “I didn’t think I’d see you here.”

“You followed me.” Barnes said, moderately annoyed.

“You made it easy enough.” You muttered before turning to the Dora.

“What brings you to Latvia?” You asked, already knowing the answer.

“Y/N.” She greeted respectfully. “I’m here for Zemo.” 

[thebadboyfanclub]

You Can Do Better (Rio x Reader)

Requested by anon, i’ve posted this for the third time and tumblr is being a fucking asshole to the point were i’m thinking of quitting this since every week I get a new way of them hiding my works. Enjoy it while it lasts

T.W. mentioning of attempted rape

(Y/n) had been Micks neighbor for a few months before the incident happened, this absolute dumpster was the only thing she could afford at the time, fresh out of college, in a foreign country without any family, but she was hoping to moving quickly. However, when Mick was coming home, he heard her screams and cries for help from the bottom of the stairs, he had seen her once or twice, even baked him cookies when he first moved in, she was nice and a quiet neighbor. 

He found (y/n) being held down by two men in masks and one of them try to rape her, she was begging and screaming, he almost acted on instict when he shot the guy in the back, the other tried to attack him and he also ended up with a bullet in between his eyes. (Y/n) thanked him and Mick had to stop her from calling the police. Instead they called Rio. He was met with two dead bodies, A girl in her torn pajamas shaking and crying and Mick trying to calm her down.

“Those motherfuckers”

Was all he said, it didn’t take a genius to figure out what had gone down, Rio was a criminal and balls deep in despicable things, yet he was proud to say he had never laid hands on a woman nor a child. He kneeled in front of her, took a good look at her eyes, her entire body shaking as she looked at him, you could sense the trauma she had been through.

Rio had heard of her when Mick told him about this little girl next door that baked him cookies as a welcoming gift, he recalled how his friend laughed when he mentioned that the girl asked him his opinion about the next tattoo she wanted to get. Now this happy light hearted girl was replaced because two men thought they are superior.

“Hi sweetheart, I understand this is hard, we will take care of everything alright? You trust us?”

“I had locked the door, I was sleeping”

“I know sweetheart, it wasn’t your fault. We’ll take care of you ok?”

“Thank you”

-

Since Mick had vouched for her and Rio had seen her at her worst they felt obligated to take her under their wings, maybe even help her earn a little more money, get a good car, pay her bills comfortably, that sort of stuff. Until one day she asked to do more, get initiated

“Mama this isn’t the playground, we ain’t playing cops and robbers”

“I know, but you said I am learning quickly, why not teach me more?”

“Why you wanna do this? All of a sudden you feel like being a gangster? You were shaking in your shoes a few months ago”

“I’m done being your little child Rio, I want to hold my own. I will do this with or without you”

Rio looked at her with a serious face. She was growing, becoming fearless, ruthless, he had seen it coming, she was picking up more slack, asking more questions, she wanted to prove herself.

“You’re threating me mama?”

“And what if I am?”

She quickly not only proved herself, she became one of his most valuable members, she was his secret weapon, nobody would suspect a young little hotel receptionist being linked to them. She worked twice as hard and smarter than most if not all his men, advised him wisely and was always cool, calm and collected, she worked best under pressure. Scared little (y/n) felt like had never even happened, she was his soldier now, she had Micks status and Mick couldn’t be more proud, he had a soft spot for her.

“Hey mister policeman, Have some room for another criminal?”

She joked as she leaned at the door of her car, waiting for the new little boy toy to get out of the police station. Now the normal question is why is (y/n) around a police man, there is a two part answer to that. Great lover and also great cover, she was his little thing, so nobody would dare blame you for any crime, the girl of the police man being a gangster? it sounded like a joke.

“Depends on what crime we are talking about miss”

“I can think of a few, we can put those handcuffs to use”

As he approached her she smiled and took off her sunglasses. She looked amazing in her blue loose ripped jeans and a simple oversized white t shirt, a chain necklace around her neck and some nice rings on her fingers as her hair fell  in front of her breasts, wearing a pair of high heels to style it up.

How you doing gorgeous?”

“Oh you know, thriving and surviving. How about you, I thought you had a day off today”

“Yes but I got assigned to a new case”

“Ohhhh should I be concerned? any criminal on the loose?”

“Not really, we are trying to find a link for this Rio guy”

Jackpot, this couldn’t have gone better. She tried to contain her smile and leaned back on the door, acting like nothing had happened.

“Oh I think you’ve mentioned him before, what did he do now?”

“Lots of things but motherfucker always slips away, chief thinks he has someone on the inside”

“Like a dirty cop?”

“Yes, so he wants me to look into it”

“Look at you, leading a case... Sexy”

The guy smiled at her, he was completely fooled and hooked. She hadn’t told anyone about her plan of seducing him to get information, she didn’t need to up until this point, yet what she did not calculate was Rio seeing her outside the police station talking to a fucking cop, the outmost enemy and being all close and cozy to him, acting all buddy buddy in broad daylight.

“I’m glad you like it miss”

“There’s a lot of things I like about you baby, anyway I have to go, I have a shift to clock in to”

“I’ll see ya later?”

“Maybe. Bye handsome”

At that (Y/n) got in her car and drove away. Rio was pissed, the girl he trusted and the girl he wanted was flirting with a policeman, how could she? He trusted her, taught her everything he knew, gave her everything with generosity and she was becoming a cops whore? Of course it wasn’t just about flirting with a cop, it was flirting with someone that wasn’t him.(Y/n) was a charming woman, he found her extremely attractive and she was even better now with the confidence she had gained over time, she was a woman he craved, the woman he wanted to have on his side, a queen that could hold the keys to his kingdom. Now all this was slowly shattering, no there had to be an explanation and he couldn’t wait to hear it.

Of course he could not just appear at her workplace, she was gracious enough to arrange a room for him incognito when Beth shot him, yet they had to act like strangers so all he could do was wait for her. 

“Hey boss, sorry I’m late I had to take care of a few things”

“Like that cop friend of yours?”

She had barely closed the door of his office before he blurred it out, he had this whole plan of making her confess by herself, except when he saw her he lost control. Betrayal and confusion clouded his mind, as she stood there a bit dumbfounded for a quick moment before smirking at him.

“Stalking much?”

“I like to make sure my people are in line”

“Really? Is that why Beth is still walking around unharmed?”

He knew how much that had shook her up, (Y/n) took care of him almost as good as the doctor, she stayed with him until he fell asleep, helped him renew his bandages and anything else he needed, even though she never said it he was aware she was extremely concerned for him and he was grateful for her care, which made it even more complicated considering the fact that he was slowly becoming more addicted to her, needing and wanting more than she gave him.

“Let’s just cut to the shit, what were you doing there?”

“Talking”

“Talking? to a cop? what is this (y/n) huh?”

She sat in the chair calmly, any normal person would have either shit their pants or told him what they were planning right away. (Y/n) on the other hand found this amusing, she had grown tired of him doing things without considering the danger he was putting himself, especially when it came to Beth and the others, if it was anyone else they would have been six feet under the second Rio opened his eyes, now he had cut them in once again and had almost gotten Boss status.

 “Yes, one of your little ladies is married to a cop, what’s the issue with me talking then?”

“Last time I check you ain’t never flapped your gums to a fed”

“I don’t flap my gums Rio, I have conversations and if you really want to know he is my new boy toy. He also was the one that told me about your case, how the fuck do you think I got the information? By holding interviews?”

Rio didn’t know how to feel, she was still working for him, had used her privilege to get information for him that had saved him a lot of money, however the whole “boy toy” thing did not sit well, she liked him, she gave him her time and even though she was stringing him along, she still had him in her life.

“You did what you were supposed to do and you got rewarded, so why you still talking to him”

“Don’t start the bullshit Rio, I’m not your daughter nor your girl so why do you care who am i fucking with”

“Where’s your fucking respect to your boss (y/n)?”

“Respect? how about where’s the respect for yourself? You let the suburban moms do whatever the fuck they are doing and I’m getting shit for having sex and getting you info from the feds?”

He was pushing it, he knew that and he didn’t care, it was time to reveal his cards and she was going to do the same, whether she liked it or not. Rio leaned back on his chair, his hand rubbing his chin as he looked at her, sitting there and looking right back at him, she wasn’t lying he knew that, she had a point for the suburban moms and she had expressed her disapproval for the little thing that was going on between him and Beth. What he did not understand was if she didn’t like it cause she was a tad bit jealous or because it fucked with their money and reputation?

“You are something else you know that?”

“Yet you still question my methods, if I remember correctly I wasn’t the one that planted three bullets in you”

“You are scared of losing me mama?”

She did not respond, she just turned and looked away from him. Of course (y/n) had picked up his little flirty remarks from time to time, she would be lying to herself if she didn’t admit she had thought of how he would be in bed, how his embrace would feel, his raspy voice was enough to start fantasies enough to make a book.

“Let’s say I am, what are you scared of Rio? Why do you care who I’m sleeping with?”

“He is a cop”

“A handsome cop, I’m sure you noticed how nicely that uniform was on him, let me tell you it’s even better when he sweats”

“I don’t need to hear it”

“Why? Does it bother you Christopher?”

She raised herself from the seat and placed her hands on the desk, leaning closer to him and making her breasts show just enough as her back curved in a perfect little S, she focused in his eyes as her tongue went over her upper lip. Rio got closer to her, his hand reached her face, as he held on to the side of her head and his thumb went over the lower lip.

“You’re not for him mama”

“Why not?”

“A woman like you is not for no goody two shoes, you can do better”

“Really? like who?”

They could feel each others breaths, their faces were almost touching as they both spoke in whispers, this conversation was not meant for no one else, they didn’t even have to speak as their body language was saying everything it needed to be said. She felt her breath become more swallow, his scent was getting her a tad bit flustered and so was hers to him.

 He wanted to take her right here and then, just the idea of her naked body was enough to drive him wild, her hair was so soft he could only imagine them stuck on her face from the sweat, the most amazing part was her lips, soft and full that made his mind go wild with the need to feel them in his lips and his body, the doors to her moans.

“I can show you better than I can tell you”

“Let’s get it then boss”

[rachetmath]

Jaune’s Failure

WARNING: This. Will. Be. Long. I’m going to be doing this every time a post is too long of a read. If you want to read it then go on a head. This is analysis. With that out the way go wild. 

Me: Hey man. How are you?

Jaune Fan: Fine man. How are you?

Me: I need to tell you something.

Jaune Fan: Okay, shoot.

Me: The Jaune and Penny scene made sense.

RWBY fan: *breaks in* Oh hell no! There is no way that scene made sense.

Jaune Fan: Yeah man, I-I love Jaune as a character but there is no way that scene could be justified.

Me: But let's talk about it. Um, Jaune's weapon is Crocea Mors, right?

RWBY Fan: Yeah, yellow death, what's the point?

Jaune Fan: Yeah. Just because Jaune's first name means the same as Crocea name doesn't justify the scene.

Me: Well, let’s talk about Jaune's sisters. Why is it out of all of them Jaune is wearing black?

Jaune Fan: Hm.

RWBY Fan: Yeah, that is weird and unlike all his sister, he's not even smiling at all.

Me: Let's even go further. Why did Crocea Mors break? After all the struggle it's gone through why did it break after Cinder displayed a very sloppy swing of her sword?

Jaune Fan: Because Jaune killed an innocent person. That's it.

Me: Yeah but... that's not all. Let's take Jaune's card info as an example. Amity Arena may not be canon but it's something to go on. It said:

"Jaune Arc was never going to be the warrior his forefathers were. Born into a family with a bunch of sisters tougher than him and growing up a gentle, kind, young lad away from the front lines weren't recipes to create a fighting genius. He never made his own weapon, and he snuck into Beacon with little to no skill or knowledge of the world of Huntsmen.

Surrounded by the likes of Pyrrha, a world-renowned fighter, Ren and Nora, frontier survivors of Kuroyuri, Ruby and Yang, the daughters of Beacon's Team STRQ, Blake, a former White Fang militant, and Weiss, the heiress of the Schnee, Jaune thought that he could not hold a candle to them.

But little did he know, Jaune also had a gift. A gift that allowed for him to take the hardest hits for his team, a gift that allowed him to heal the wounded, a gift that made everyone else around him stronger. Jaune was something the others were not. He was a leader. The kind with shaky legs, trembling hands, but with shield up, at the front.

Showing everyone that true courage... can only stem from a fearful heart."

Jaune Fan: Okay. And?

RWBY Fan: What does all this have to do with Jaune?

Me: Well, Crocea Mors was never Jaune's weapon. However, Jaune was emotionally attached to it. After all he wanted to be a hero like his father and grandfather. However, his sister had their own lives, their own talents and don't care much about being a hero or huntress. Meaning their stronger and more mature than their brother is.

RWBY Fan: Oh shoot. That's... true.

Jaune Fan: That means they are more deserving of the sword than Jaune was. Jaune is the black sheep of his family.

Me: Speaking of black, here's what it symbolizes.

"Black represents evil, darkness, night, and despair. It’s the color used to convey certainty and authority, and when used in opposition with white, it’s a symbol of the eternal struggle between day and night, good and evil, and right and wrong." (https://www.sensationalcolor.com/meaning-of-black/#:~:text=Symbolism%20And%20Meaning%20Of%20Black,evil%2C%20and%20right%20and%20wrong.)

RWBY Fan: Well Ruby has that too. So does Blake, Qrow and Raven. How does Jaune fit into this?

Jaune Fan: Yeah.

Me: Has Jaune done anything right?

Jaune Fan: … Oh shit.

Me: I mean Jaune cheated Beacon. What happened? Pyrrha died and Cinder got the maiden powers. He tried to fight Cinder. What happened? Weiss almost died. He tried to steal an Atlas airship. What happened? Ruby, Blake, and Yang almost died. Ruby's lies to James and Jaune said nothing about it. What happened? Penny died. And the man can take a hit from giants. So, what does that mean?

RWBY Fan: *laughs*

Jaune Fan: Oh shit. Volume 9 better focus on him because... Jaune is going to need it.

Me: For those you who might not know what I'm saying, I'll explain. The villian of volume nine, in theory, is going to be Neo and Jaune. Jaune isn't going to fight the team because he's gone crazy however, Neo can turn team RWBY against him. The only way for Jaune to defeat Neo is admitting he killed Penny, even if Penny asked him to do so. But Jaune fans let’s face the harsh facts. Jaune is self-fish, a hypocrite and more importantly irresponsible. Jaune let Ruby lie to James's face and he said nothing. This man had the nerve to talk down to James yet barely does anything to better the situation. Now we can say the same thing about Qrow and Yang but guess what we should never forget is Jaune is a leader. Basically, I'm saying everything from volume 7-8 was Jaune's fault.

Now, if Jaune wants to protect his friends, he needs to be more responsible. Crocea Mors was never his and he was never worthy to have it in the first place. He used Crocea Mors to kill an innocent person. Though Jaune's father and grandfather can be guilty of the same thing, they at least did for their kingdom and their follow soldiers. Jaune did it for well, no reason. Why? Because everything could've been avoided if Jaune done the right thing. However, Jaune made his own choices even against the Arc family. In honesty, I don’t blame him but still. Basically, Crocea Mors, who has been with the Arcs for generation, left Jaune because Jaune is growing up, and forged his own path that it can no longer follow. He needs to find his own strength. Jaune needs his own sword.

And guess what, volume 8 hinted at this with Jaune trying to be a leader and be responsible. Jaune trying to encourage the people in Mantle:

Jaune accepts Ren having a point about their actions but still cares about him. Even when Yang gave him praise, he didn't care. He knew Ren had a point. He never said he was wrong: 

Persuading Winter and ready to risk his life to save Oscar:

Contributing to plans and leading them:

Even knowing when to ask for help and trying to be one step ahead.

However, volume 7 still happened. Ruby lied to James Yang and Blake betrayed James’s trust. And they got caught slipping:

James descended to madness. And Oscar got shot:

All of this could have been avoided if Jaune told James the truth himself. (Its as if Argus didn’t matter. Oh boy.) So, what better way for Jaune to pay the price for his sin than taking an innocent life in Ruby's place. Just like Cinder. And like Raven, James and Ozpin. You know, leaders:

Basically, despite all Jaune's power because of his foolishness and blind loyalty to Ruby he lost everything.

A potential friend:

His honor and connection with his family and Pyrrha:

The price Jaune has paid for team RWBY is too great to ignore. Now he needs to find or regain his strength, take responsibility for happened, and more importantly, finally call these four bitches out on their bull shit.

You know what I am hoping Neo, does not get redeemed too quickly or not at all. Because in all honesty, I want team RWBY to get bodied. Back to Jaune, he'll never get his revenge, protect his friends, or maybe stop Salem. But if you don't believe me, fine, I don't care. 

In honesty, trust me I don’t really believe the scene with Jaune and Penny was necessary. I already knew Jaune was going to be the one to kill Penny but not like permit kill but kill and revive. You know Jaune having a lot of aura and all you think he could help Pietro revive her. So... Yeah.