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espinosaurusrexex · 1 year ago

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Remember Me

WinterSoldier!BuckyBarnes x Female!Reader

summary: After a fight against the most notorious Hydra agent of all, Steve and you discover that your assumed diseased friend Bucky is still alive. Old wounds resurface as you are confronted with the grappling reality that you have lived vastly different lives for the past 70 years. Will he remember your shared history? And most importantly: does he still feel the same?

word count: 3.1k

a/n: Just a short piece that I managed to finish. I know it's not a lot, but I hope you enjoy anyway 💕

warnings: a bunch of fluff and angst, mentions of war, mentions of sexism, swearing, Bucky is really broken in this one, happy ending (:

･ﾟ✫* 𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕 ｡✭･ﾟ

“Proceed with caution, unidentified shooter on bridge. I repeat: unidentified shooter. It is not clear what the motive is. Take cover and shoot on sight.”

“Dispatch, this is Captain America - we’ll take it from here.”

“With all due respect, Cap, I will keep my men on site to keep your cover.”

“I appreciate it.”

“Least I can do for you, sir.”

“Stop chatting it up with the police and do your job, Rogers.”

“Alright, alright.”

You chuckled and turned to Tony. “How long are we out?”

“Three minutes, 46 seconds.”

“You gonna survive that long, Stevie?”

“That guy’s got a good aim on him, gotta give him that.”

Muffled noises pushed through your earpiece before you stepped into the back of the Quinjet to gear up.

“Can’t let him do anything. It’s one guy they’re fighting... one.”

“Yeah, one Hydra-trained assassin who’s apparently immortal and got more deaths on his record than Romanoff.”

You huffed as the meeting recollected in your mind. The Winter Soldier had been the newest pain in the Avenger’s asses ever since you discovered that Hydra was still operating in the shadows of S.H.I.E.L.D.

“They’re just making a show out of everything, huh?”

You strapped your gloves over your wrists and watched as Tony chuckled in the pilot seat. You and him had become good friends over the past few years. Ever since you and Steve had been discovered in the frozen airship of what you had thought to be your last mission about 70 years ago, you and Captain America had woken up in a vastly different world. One through which Howard’s son, Tony, gladly guided you.

Both you and Steve were overwhelmed by the amount of changes the world had endured while you had soundly served your time as human popsicles, though Captain America seemed to struggle a little more with 21st-century technology and norms.

It was fine, Steve had always been a little old-fashioned, even back in the day. You for one were delighted to learn about all the opportunities the world had to offer for women and other people who couldn’t have dreamed of any in the 40s. Because while Steve was celebrated for being the face of hope for the American people, you were still dodging snide comments doubting your place in the Army. And while you tried not to let anyone see the toll it took on you, it was the reason for enough nights you spent with Peggy sharing stories over a bottle of wine.

You both decided the important men in your life should never find out. Though, of course, your not-so-secret didn’t stay hidden from Bucky for long. Which was one of the reasons you had jumped on that plane with Steve. Even when Bucky was already dead. Even when Steve was still oblivious. You constantly needed to prove yourself. But this one time, it had actually changed something – well, time had.

You shook your head free of that thought and walked towards the cargo hatch. Tony had landed the Quinjet – it was go time.

“Ready?”

“That guy won’t know what happened to him when we’re done with him.”

“Let’s rock his world, then,” Tony winked before his helmet closed and he flew out of the jet. You were close behind him, running the short distance from the ramp to the bridge from which you swung yourself off with a grappling hook.

“What’s the status?”

“I’ve been shot.”

“I’ve got it, Bearcat check on Steve. He looks ridiculously helpless.”

“Roger that,” you sprinted towards the two fighting men on the street, as the Winter soldier threw Steve to the ground, his shield nowhere to be seen.

“Okay, my turn.” You stepped in front of him, analyzing his movements, and dodging punches, trying to get some in yourself.

“Oh come on, that’s not fair.” You huffed when he took a knife out of your leg holster and almost acrobatically threw it over your head just to graze your cheek with the blade.

He had knocked off your guns at this point, leaving you with choking wire and some smaller daggers in your jacket. When he turned the right angle, you jumped his shoulders and locked your thighs around his neck, kicking the knife out of his hand and watching as he ripped your choking wire in half. Damn.

“Now, that’s not nice.” You threw the torn metal to the side as The winter soldier struggled to get you off him. A look to Steve told you he had a new plan, and with a short nod, you signaled your understanding to him.

“But if you wanna be like that...” Steve threw you his shield and in a swift motion you managed to drag it over the soldier's head. He pushed his metal arm forward just in time, though your hit had already knocked the mask off his face.

When the shield came down, you heard Steve’s footsteps halt next to you, the world going quiet.

Your stomach churned when you watched blue eyes twitch between the dark smudges. Familiar and oh-so strange at the same time.

“Bucky?” Steve stammered, and at the sound of his name, goosebumps rippled over your skin.

The Winter Soldier’s look darkened before he reached for a gun. “Who the hell is Bucky?”

From then on, the day seemed like a blur. You remembered Sam knocking Bucky down and the lot of you flying back to the compound on standby. Steve was functioning a lot better than you were, considering the man you thought to be dead for over 70 years was currently handcuffed to a handrail on your jet.

James “Bucky” fucking Barnes. Captain America’s best friend, founding member of the howling commandos, infamous war hero apparently turned assassin, and the man who stole your heart somewhere along the way.

You dared a glance at the chained-up, unconscious brunette in the corner as Steve sat down next to you, a calming hand squeezing your shoulder.

“Can I get you anything?”

You ignored him. “How are you not freaking out?” You whispered through glassy eyes instead.

Steve’s expression softened when he pulled you into his chest, his other hand pressing your head further into him. His heart was hammering beneath his ribcage, his fingers cold to the touch.

“I am. Just trying to be a captain.” His voice was strained when he mumbled into your hair.

You just nodded in understanding, finding comfort in the fact you weren’t the only one feeling this way.

❁ ❁ ❁

You watched him through the glass of the interrogation room with your arms crossed before your chest. Buck was sitting at the table, his head hung low, his dark hair falling in wet stands into his face. He didn’t move a muscle. For half an eternity, he stared at the table his wrists were chained to, almost statue-like. But when he finally looked up, you could see the confusion and nervousness in his ocean-blue eyes.

They had given him time to recover, to shower, and feel like a human again. They forced him into normal clothes and offered him a bed to sleep. But it wasn’t enough. The man you were looking at was terrified and lost - exhausted and overwhelmed.

Bucky visibly tensed when the door opened and Steve stepped into his sight. They spent the next hour reconstructing his past. Steve told him how he had ended up in the 21st century and by the end of their conversations, the tension was a lot less static.

“She’s alive,” Bucky stated and tore his eyes away from Steve to look at the one-way glass.

“She’s a tough one. Survived the crash without super soldier serum and came out of the ice just as unharmed as I did.”

“What are the odds?” Bucky chuckled bitterly. “What are the fucking odds we all end up together again?”

Steve only gifted his friend a sympathetic smile along with a squeeze to his shoulder. “Take it as a chance.”

“Feels like a punishment.”

They were locking eyes and even though you were watching the interaction from the outside, you could feel the atmosphere turn somber. The men were staring at each other in silence for a while, though you knew there was an entire discussion happening in their eyes.

“Does she... does she want to see me?” Bucky’s voice was hesitant and broken. And you couldn’t help but somehow imagine a different question nestled in his words.

You almost had to stop yourself from touching the glass with your hands, wanting to tell him that you were already seeing him - really seeing him.

“Why don’t you ask her yourself?” Steve stood and with a last smile to Bucky, he exited the room.

This was it. The door was open. The love of your life sitting only a few feet from it. Though it seemed like he was trapped inside another’s body.

“I’ll give you some privacy,” Steve murmured as he stood in the doorway looking at you by the window. And you just nodded, trying to suppress your pulse rushing in your ears.

“Thanks.” It was only a whisper. You weren’t used to your voice being this small. And Steve didn’t seem so either. He was looking at you with sad eyes, fists clenched by his sides. There was nothing he could do to make you feel better. Not this time. And he seemed to know so. With one last tight smile, he sent a short nod your way and then left.

❁ ❁ ❁

Bucky didn’t look at you when you finally built up the courage to step inside his room. He was much bigger than you remembered. Thick muscles adorned his arms and shoulders. Shaggy, longer hair fell from his head and over his scrunched brows. His left arm was entirely of metal, a red star reminding him who had taken claim to him several decades ago.

If you hadn’t known, the man before you had almost no resemblance to the soldier you loved in 1941. He had been lean and full of life. He was broken now. And you were terrified someone had taken the very thing from him that would keep him from becoming himself again.

Without a word you approached Bucky, cupped his hands with yours, and undid the restraints that tied him to the table. And this was the first time he looked at you. Really looked at you. Bucky’s piercing blue stare was full of awe and sorrow, a deep pain etched beneath the grey flecks within the vibrant color.

You sat down beside him.

“Hey.” Your voice was shaky, dragging a long silence in its wake that only made your heart beat faster.

“Hello,” Bucky finally whispered, breaking the spell. His voice was a raw timbre, like a long-forgotten melody. And so much more tangible now that you weren’t listening to it through a speaker.

But that was it. Neither of you spoke afterward.

There was so much that could have been said, so much that could have been exchanged, known, explored about the other. And yet it didn’t feel like any of the words known to you were enough to break the static tension in the room. You were just looking at Bucky, scanning every part of his body like it was a flash card for the most important test of your life.

So, here you were: With the opportunity of a lifetime right at your fingertips and the confidence of a kicked puppy settled deep in your wounded soul. The person you had known for the longest looked so timid as if he were looking at a stranger. Not that he had ever been shy about strangers back in the day. But this was different. This was strange and beautiful, and scary, and exciting. No book in the world held the answers as to what to do in this situation.

And the solution was so easy: you just had to say something. So why didn’t your damn mouth open?

The speaker above your heads crackled and then Tony’s voice rang through the room. And for the first time in what felt like hours, a tiny bit of the weight on your shoulders lifted with it. “Bearcat, If you don’t open your mouth and put the guy out of his misery in 5 seconds, I’ll personally mediate this incredibly static confrontation.”

You rolled your eyes and then glared at the mirror, knowing full well Tony was watching you despite your asking him to leave. You mouthed a ‘shut it’ towards the glass and then turned in shock when a familiar voice rose from the silence.”

“Bearcat?”

You stared at Bucky with soft eyes. There was an innocence in the way he slowly guided this conversation - almost like he’d always had. It was an easy question, a nice entry to the heavier stuff that was bound to be discussed.

And just as you began to explain, it dawned on you how much you had missed about each other. How differently your life could have been if it weren’t for the cruel turn of fate.

“When Steve and I were discovered, S.H.I.E.L.D. was our home for a long time. They tried to put us in apartments, even set us up with chaperones to guide us through the new century.” Bucky looked intrigued, even leaning forth as he listened intently. You wondered if he ever realized how much time had passed when he was the winter soldier... if anyone ever cared to tell him. “But it wasn’t until I met Natasha that I felt like I had arrived. She showed me so many things and trained with me until I became an agent here. Howard’s son came up with the nickname. He reminds me of him.” You smiled and shook your head “He’s a pain in my ass but a genius that can be genuinely helpful even though I don’t want to admit it at times. I haven’t grasped the explanation fully, but apparently, my fast learning and efficiency when it came to fighting reminded him of one of those small powerful fighter jets that were finished just after the war.” You chuckled at the memory before your eyes found Becky’s again only to see pain all over his face.

A silent tear rolled down his cheek and hit the floor before you could see it stain his skin. “I'm so sorry.” His voice was shaking, his body trying to make itself smaller but failing miserably with all the muscle surrounding it. He took up the room and your heart right along with it.

“Hey you have nothing to apologize for, you hear me.” You cradled his face and his hands instantly covered yours, only for his metal one to retract just as fast again. He was sorrowful and it made your heart ache.

“You’ve been navigating through so much alone and this is yet another thing you had to do without me.” He confessed through his tears and squeezed his eyes shut. He hadn’t changed within - always caring for everyone around him and never putting himself first.

“I’m fine. Was then and am now.” You ensured him. “If you want to worry about someone, take Steve. He’s a lot more overwhelmed than I am.” Bucky chuckled through his tears, a deep seriousness settling in his eyes. “If anything, I’m sorry we didn’t save you sooner.”

He shook his head. “You couldn’t have known.” And there it was: a glimpse of the loving, caring, charming man you’d known so many years ago. A small smile snuck onto your face at the revelation and a spark of hope shot through your body.

“I haven’t stopped thinking about you,” you confessed, "We never had the time to actually be just us. To live all the dreams we shared back then.”

Bucky's eyes were full of sorrow before he closed them and pressed his forehead to yours. “I wish I could say I missed you,” he whispered and slung his arm around you, “But I didn’t remember.”

“And that’s not your fault, you hear me.” Your hand stroked over his damp hair, pulling it back and making Bucky look at you again. “None of this is your fault. Don’t you ever doubt yourself. What happened to you is horrible. And I vow to kill every single person responsible for keeping us apart for this long. But not once will anyone ever consider this your fault.”

Bucky averted his eyes and turned his head but you were quick to catch his face with your hand. “Promise me you won’t beat yourself up. Please. That’s all I ask of you. Let Steve and me handle the rest and focus on becoming comfortable in your skin again. I can’t wait to meet the man you can become.”

“You don’t want to know me, doll. Not anymore. Even if it wasn’t my fault, it changed me. I’m not the man you-“ he stopped talking as you watched regret flash over his features. “I don’t think I can give you what you deserve.”

“I don’t care what I deserve, Bucky. I want you. I always have and that won’t change because some bullies tried to brainwash you. The very fact that we are here talking like this shows how much stronger you are than them. How the good in you never wavered.”

“But I can’t even trust myself. How can I expect you to do so of me?”

You cradled his head harsher as you felt your own tears roll down your cheek. “All I need is for you to try and trust me. We’ll figure this out... like we always do.”

Bucky’s flesh hand had fallen to your thigh, a soft thumb stroking over your leg and he watched the movement in awe. You didn’t know how long it had been since he had last felt comfort but you were determined to make up for all the lost time. With the wild beating of your heart, you took his metal hand and laved your fingers with his, watching as Bucky’s eyes glued to your smaller hand in his. There was no fear of what could happen, no aversion towards the alien element attached to his body. And then, finally, he encased your hand with his silver fingers.

Your other hand still stroked his cheek and you waited until he caught your gaze again. And once he did, you did not hesitate to slowly push your lips to his.

Just a short, sweet kiss. One that held more words than you could ever say. And then you waited. What for? Maybe a rejection, the shake of his head, or the sheer confidence with which he used to kiss you decades back.

Bucky’s breaths were shaky, his hands still touching you and sending softly timid comfort through your body. He held your gaze for a second... and then, he finally kissed you back.

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ronearoundblindly · 4 months ago

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Wide Open Future (1)

Steve Rogers x agoraphobic!Reader

Summary: Steve saves you after the Battle of New York, but you don't want to be taken from your safe space.

Warnings for being self-indulgent, hurt/comfort that's not completed in this part, 'slow' burn (but it's not going to be super long in total), and none of those are actually warnings so much as content descriptions. Originally, this was a one-shot. Go figure. There are zero specification of male or female, ethnicity or size for this reader. WC ~2k

Life was fine until half of your apartment blew apart. In an instant, the whole outer wall evaporated, leaving you seven stories up, the floor (mostly) ripped out from under you.

Obviously, in the emergency, no one took the elevators, and through your front door to the hallway, you heard people run for the stairs. They passed you by, but that’s because you didn’t know any of your neighbors. You didn’t move though. You couldn’t.

The sound…the sounds got worse.

Unearthly shrieks from floating, flying whales. Explosions that rattled you to the bone. Human screams, outside and in. Rubble from the other two stories above you crashed down, chipping away chunks of your floor with it.

Your couch teetered for a while before it finally caved.

Your kitchen island peeled away in bits: countertop, dishwasher, and then the sink plumbing.

For some reason, the worst was your books cascading off the shelves like synchronized swimmers into a sparking pool of ash.

You didn’t move though. You couldn’t.

It grew dark. The sirens never stopped.

You got thirsty, then hungry, yet you stay so, so still.

This has gone on for hours now. Life as you know it is over, and you remain curled at the foot of your front door.

All the electricity is out. Your fridge is off and your food spoiling, but at least water stops shooting out of the destroyed sink. There are no working clocks. Your walls are bare, and your phone long since slid down the slanted rubble to god-knows-where. There’s no signal by then anyway.

You don’t make a single sound. You can’t. You’d rather die here than leave. The dusty air is taunting you. You’ve shifted from hyperventilating to holding your breath.

“I’ve got something. Hang on,” you hear just as a spotlight sweeps across your living room turned paper mache dollhouse.

“Jarvis, can you get me the tenant listing…yeah, looks like…apartment seven-four-three…oh.” The voice says your name. “I’m going to move this off of you, ok? Can you hear me?”

The gentle hand sweeps a thick layer of debris off of your head and back. You chance relaxing your hands to look at the face of your rescuer.

Him.

“No,” you dryly whisper. “I live here. ’S my home.”

“The building isn’t stable. We have to evacuate you.”

“No,” you try to scream, but it’s too hard to focus. You’re fighting to back up out of his reach, but rubble lies behind you. Your ankle slips into a crevice, stopped by strips of exposed rebar.

Captain America grabs your shaking arms. “I’m sorry,” he keeps saying, “I’m sorry. You can’t live here. It’s not safe.”

You repeat yourself, too. “I can’t leave. I can’t leave.”

He talks, but it’s not to you anymore. He checks that you’re the last they’ve found in the building. People got trapped in the stairwell beyond a point, and they’ve been handled. Cap announces he’s going to “see this one through and call it a night.”

You’d rather die than leave. Out there is not livable. Out there is unsafe.

“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”

You don’t believe him.

“I need you to trust me, just for a little while, alright?”

“I don’t want to go—“

“Close your eyes for me. Please? Just close your eyes until we get there.”

“No, please, no.”

He has to pry your body a little straighter to get ahold of you, and your shaking becomes so violent he adjusts, using sincere force to pin you to his chest before getting a running start.

He jumps across the chasm of your building to land on what sounds like a metal ramp and calls for the Jarvis person to take him home.

Home? It’s not your home.

“It’ll be okay, I promise,” he says against your temple.

You’re frozen, shaking so badly words couldn’t form if you tried.

“I swear to you it will be okay.”

You haven’t spoken since.

He set you down on a bed, but you promptly crawled to the smallest, darkest space you could find, a closet full of Converses and jackets.

Cap, in his filthy suit, tossing the cowl onto the dresser, simply asks if you’re injured since he can’t get to you. You won’t let him see. The most he can do is hand you a bottle of water and a watch from his nightstand to hold.

Time is still going, still moving, even when you won’t.

Steve is…tired.

What he knows from J.A.R.V.I.S. is very little and very simple: you rented that one apartment for years, it has a magnetic keycard entry for the building, a regular key for your unit’s door, and there is no record of you ever entering since your move-in day. Your utilities are 35% higher than the average in the area. Because you are there all day. Because you never leave.

Because, as you yourself said, you can’t leave.

Steve sympathizes, he does, but he had to make the tough call. He wasn’t going to watch you die. He couldn’t live with himself if he left you there. This is the next-best and now only option.

He’s exhausted and starving. Shawarma only goes so far when vaulting across sheer drops to help find survivors in spots too dangerous for regular emergency crews. Steve alone found thirty-nine men, women, and children. Tony, with jet-pack feet and metal-armor biceps, rescued somewhere in the range of eighty people.

Great. Give Stark a medal. Steve couldn’t care less right now.

That’s not true, exactly, but after back-to-back-to-back calls with shelters all at-capacity or worse, he’s in need of sustenance, a shower, and clean clothes.

First, he chugs two of the protein shakes his fridge gets stocked with. It’s never been by his choice—and he never thought he’d be quite this grateful for modern packaging,—but today’s the day. Next, he chances a sweep through his room, snatching up sweats and then barricading himself in the bathroom. Despite wanting to stay beneath the hot spray forever, Steve rushes, concerned that you’re hurt in a way that wasn’t obvious.

He brings you another water and one of the shakes. He has no expectation of you wanting it. At the moment, however, there’s no other food ready to eat.

He grabs another washcloth, warming it under the tap, and slowly wipes at your face and hands. You certainly look terrible but luckily have nothing more than minor cuts.

Lucky.

He doesn’t feel lucky, and he imagines you don’t either.

“I’ll find you some place better in the morning,” he promises. “I’ll be out that door—“ he points “—on the couch if you need anything. I know you don’t want to,” Steve adds quietly, lacing his voice with as much reassurance as superhumanly possible, “but make yourself at home. You’re going to get through this.”

Before he can push himself off the floor, you grip his fingers in thanks, and he hopes, he wishes, he prays for that to be true.

It doesn’t feel like enough. It never feels like enough.

It’s small.

That’s good for your purposes of adjustment, and the fact that he’s never there (almost never) helps, too.

It’s all his stuff, not your stuff, but your whole life doesn’t exist anymore.

Jarvis, which is actually an AI wired through the walls or something, arranges for you to see your therapist via video chat on an enormous projection in the bedroom.

There’s a bedroom and bathroom. Theoretically, there is a grand common room just outside the door but you can’t.

“I’ve been told they won’t move you until a permanent place is found,” Dr. Lucien cuts in. You were staring at the door again, wondering. “Temporary shelters are so crowded right now people are getting transferred back and forth to wherever there’re beds. I’m told it’s no trouble to let you stay.”

Would Captain America kick you out?

“That’s good." You try to be brave. "I can do that.”

You work remotely—that’s always been easiest—and it’s a weird time where you have both less and more to do because the city is still in chaos, meaning you’re at your computer when Cap knocks before entering his own room.

“Hey,” he says carefully, “I just need to clean up.”

“Of course,” you reply automatically. In your mind, you shrink the world down to just the yard-long desk and this rolling chair. You focus on your screen and everything is fine.

Hearing the shower is no different here than that muted, rushing sound that came from your neighbor’s place before. You’ve had people you know in your space without much incident for a long time; the problem is mostly out there.

Cap leaves immediately. You almost don’t notice at all until a plate is plunked down on the desk.

“I’m gonna rest here for a bit if you don’t mind.”

“It’s…” You can hardly look up, knowing that he’s watching, knowing he can see inside this tiny bubble world you’ve managed to illusion yourself into. “It’s your room.”

“Turns out the couch is not very comfortable longterm.”

You nod and shrug. From the list of tasks left to complete, you’ll be working for a while yet.

“You got everything you need?”

He doesn’t lean in to make eye contact, you notice. He’s patient.

With twitching fingers, you pull away from the keyboard and slowly turn, controlling your breath to not seem panicked.

“I do, Captain Rogers. Thank you very much.”

His eyes are…not full of pity like you expected. He looks like a host eager to please a guest, but that’s ridiculous when you are indefinitely trapped here, constantly invading his home.

“Call me Steve, and I’m glad to help,” he replies softly.

In situations like this, it would be customary to say ‘no, I’ll get out of your hair,’ ‘I’ll just leave you to it,’ ‘please don’t put yourself out on my account,’ but that’s the thing: you cannot get out. You cannot leave. You don’t want to. You never, ever want to, and in this specific case, it’s actually Steve’s fault.

He raps his knuckles on the wood. “Little though it may be…”

Steve chugs a glass of water on his way to the bed—which you’ve made diligently every morning and changed the sheets twice now—and stretches across the half closer to the door. You’re comforted by the fact you didn’t steal the exact spot he sleeps in on top of bogarting his quarters.

You use his desk, you have clothes in the closet which Jarvis had someone bring you, and you etched out a corner of the bathtub rim for wash products. You’ve for sure done enough to invade already, so you stay silent and work while Steve falls asleep, snoring lightly.

You deep clean the bathroom one day when extremely restless, and although he insists you did not need to, Steve beams with gratitude.

You do a little more around the room, and a little more, and a little more.

The single room and en suite bathroom become your oasis, and—as promised—a safe space that you thoroughly dread leaving. The dread includes leaving Steve Rogers.

You know that all of those things will lead to another tragic episode once you have to move again. It makes you do more in hopes of being essential, of being needed to stay.

Steve pops his head in.

"Would you...would you want to watch a movie with me tonight? I checked out a few--well, I guess you'd call them 'classics' now--from the library, and I thought...maybe..."

With one flash of a smile, your oasis grows to two rooms. Life just might be fine again someday, just as he promised.

[Next Part]

A/N: I'm probably going to regret not just completing this before posting.

@supraveng @1950schick @patzammit @whiskeytangofoxtrot555 @yiiiikesmish @bucky-fricking-barnes-reads @fallinallinmendes @deandreamernp @rogersideup (tagging you because this kinda reminded me of your series Late Night Talking which I love so much!) @rogersbarber @blogbog710 @yenzys-lucky-charm @thiquefunlover63 @ashesofblackroses @jaqui-has-a-conspiracy-theory @brandycranby @buckysprettybaby @ellethespaceunicorn @late-to-the-party-81 @bigtreefest @mistressmkay @astheskycries @veryprairieberry

#steve rogers fanfiction #steve rogers x reader #steve rogers fanfic #steve rogers x you #steve rogers fic #steve rogers imagine #steve rogers fluff #captain america x reader #captain america x you #captain america fanfiction #captain america fluff #hurt/comfort #steve rogers angst

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leighsartworks216 · 5 months ago

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I'll See You In The Morning

Zayne x gn!Reader

Soooo I listened to the "Silent Poem" Secret Times and immediately wrote this cuz OUGHHHHHGHH you understand

SMUT BELOW THE CUT

Warnings: fluff, smut, established relationship, kissing, biting, creampie, gentle sex, light teasing, banter, gender neutral smut (no parts described)

Word Count: 719

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First Love and Deepspace Masterlist

Second Love and Deepspace Masterlist

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Quiet breaths mingle with each other. Small sounds, stolen from your throat, find their way into his, swallowed up with deep, languid kisses. Even then, he's so needy. Desperate to consume you, to feel and taste and hear you, as he takes you on your shared bed.

Zayne pulls away with a gasp, refusing to stray too far as his nose brushes yours. You cup his flushed cheeks in both hands and draw him back in. He doesn't fight against it. His tongue licks into your mouth, hot and slick with saliva.

His hands cradle you sweetly. One underneath you, supporting your lower back. The other wrapped under your knee to keep you open for him and reduce the strain on your leg, the other hooked over his hip. Your own hands slide from his face to wrap around him, tangling into his hair and dragging your nails teasingly over his back, not near hard enough to break the skin, but enough to draw a shiver from him.

He whines under his breath as he parts for only a second, "You tease..."

He uses his arm underneath you to angle your hips, thrusting in to perfectly fill you, perfectly knocking against that sweet spot inside of you. He grins against your mouth as you moan, but that sound, too, is quickly swallowed up by your dear doctor. You squeeze your legs around him, wordlessly begging him for more, but he continues to roll his hips at this slow pace. You're already dripping onto the bed sheets; does he intend to make you soak through the mattress, too?

You tug on his hair. He groans, following the pull, drawn up to lean further over you, thrust just that much deeper into you. His breath hitches, hips faltering when you squeeze around him.

"Are you close?" he breathes against your lips. "I can feel it..."

You pull away, panting, to trail mindless kisses along his jaw and throat. His Adam's apple bobs with a low groan. "Will you fill me, doc-tor?" You bite softly at his pulse, thrumming wildly under his skin.

He nudges you out of his neck to kiss your own, sucking desperately at your skin, licking at the salty sweat glistening in the dim light. "Will you take me, my love?"

You're so close now. With each thrust, the tension in your gut ramps higher and higher, coiling tightly, ready to break. His cock twitching against your walls only fuels the fire.

You tug him back to your mouth, kissing him as though not doing so would end the world. "All of you..." you promise in a broken whimper. "P-Please, Zayne... Need you..."

His thrusts falter, stuttering as the tension snaps and you clutch around him, determined to milk him dry. He gasps and kisses you deeper, needier, as he stills, buried as deep within you as possible. Hot ropes of cum fill you to the brim, soon dripping onto the sheets.

When you can think again, he pulls away slowly, his weight a grounding presence on top of you, tying you to the world once more. He presses soft kisses, chaste and loving, to your cheek and the corner of your mouth.

"Are you alright?" he whispers. His eyes are hazy with post-orgasmic bliss as they seek yours out. His arm gently lowers your leg from his hold so that he may cup your cheek and get you to look at him. "Did I hurt you?"

You shake your head sleepily, all energy sapped from your body. "You were perfect," you reassure him with a light kiss to his lips. They're bruised and kiss-swollen, shimmering with saliva, and so gorgeous. You can't help stealing one more. "Mmm, we made a mess..."

He chuckles breathlessly. "You'll be asleep before we can clean up."

"Before you can clean up... You're the one that woke me up..."

"I wanted to see my spouse again after so long. Is that a crime?"

"Mhm. Gonna arrest you for it... as soon as I'm awake..."

If only you were conscious enough to see the lovestruck grin on his face, the adoration in his eyes. He presses one last, lingering kiss to your lips as your eyes flutter shut. "Don't worry, my love. I'll take care of it... I'll see you in the morning..."

---

Tag List:

@the-golden-jhope @deepzombieyouth @huen1ngk41 @armycaratlover @cheesemachine44 @nyx2021 @angel-jupiter @thelittlebutton @pikachuzhc @pomegranatepip @cordidy @an-ever-angry-bi @thejysemongko

#fanfic #fanfiction #zayne #zayne x reader #love and deepspace zayne #lads zayne #lnds zayne #love and deepspace #love and deepspace x reader #lads #lads x reader #lnds #lnds x reader #gn reader #x gn reader #gender neutral reader #x gender neutral reader #smut

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dvmbification · 5 months ago

Text

PONYBOY ft. boothill

( synopsis ) it's pretty unprofessional to mess around with your work partner on the job—but a single ride, just for fun, wouldn't hurt.. ..right? (｡•̀ᴗ-)

( tags ) boothill x fem!reader, ñšfw, co-workers, alcohol, oral šéx ( m receiving ) cowgirl position, tit play, spanking, clothed šéx, photography of said šéx, under the influence

( wc ) 2.2k

( toni's note ) so uhh. yeah. dumbification is GONE kinda gone. welcome back?? i'll be reposting my recent works over here.. feel free to send any questions in my inbox or dms... boo fucking hoo to me!!! .·°՞(¯□¯)՞°·.

“you can’t just boss me around!” he cackles. “then can you do me one last favor, pumpkin?”

“fine.”

you step outside to leave the cockpit, in search of something boothill had assigned you to look for. it was said to be inside a red crate, so it must have been inside the storage room, right? you eventually find the said crate after about ten minutes running around looking for it. the phrase ‘special supplies’ is plastered all around it. After taking a look at what’s inside, you find nothing but a flimsy looking camera. well, you thought it was flimsy. you boot it up, introduced to a high quality opening animation on the screen. not knowing how to navigate the camera, you press and play around the countless buttons on it, and one of them initiates a flash. a small film prints out the image you just took. this must be what boothill was looking for, so you take it back to him.

“perfect, we’ll be using this for the.. documentation of our mission.” he smiles as he gently handles the camera, careful not to break it. “we’re not gonna.. fight anyone?” boothill shakes his head. “come on. I was prepared.” “better luck next time! hah!” he cackles. “well, look at that,” you look through the window. “we’re here.” brushing the dust off of your pants as the gates of the ship open, a ramp slowly settles into the ground. “alright, where to?” “nowhere but forward.”

so you may have gotten lost in the middle of nowhere. it felt like days on end, days of you and boothill searching for the town you were supposed to look after. the eternal scorching heat of the sun pricked at your skin, covered in a thin coat of sweat. you looked like you’ve seen the end of it all, while boothill barely broke a single sweat, he looked untouched–unscathed. “don’t you have some GPS device installed inside of you?” your brows furrow and eyes squint. “I’m a cyborg, not some multifunctional home device.” you groaned, but momentarily let out a small gasp. “i can see it.” your hand grasped at what seemed to be nothing as you collapsed to the ground in victory. “see what, the light?” you wheeze a simple no, he turns to see whatever your hand could possibly be pointing to. “holy shirt. we’re actually here.” a cluster of buildings could be seen in the distance. “finally!” you almost sobbed.

“that feels amazing..” your parched throat cleared up after a few desperate gulps of water. “just what i needed.” boothill heaved, placing a now empty whiskey glass back on the bar’s counter. “boothill,” he looked in your direction. “we should be settled in a hotel by now.” you yawned. “come on! let’s have a little fun. you drink, don’t you?” he said, handing over a glass of whiskey. you hesitatingly took his offer, taking the shot. you eventually loosen up and get into it,

It was hours and hours of talking, full of random conversations, and small talk. you would mention whatever crazy thing you thought of, paying no mind to what your sober self would say about these decisions. It was until you acted out one of these crazy thoughts of yours. “and then i–hey, sugar, what are you doin’?” his eyes were open wide in genuine curiosity and shock, at what you were doing right now, and what he knew you were about to do. you leaned forward to feel around his chest, one hand tugging at the zipper of his jacket, and the other leading up to take his hat. you slowly take the hat and place it on your head–all while keeping your eyes on the cowboy. “sugar, i don’t think you know what you’re doin’. you know what this means, right?” he looked eager himself to grant what you wanted–but now and here was definitely not the time and place to do it. “oh, trust me,” you bring your face closer to his. “i know. please.” boothill’s eyes soften, bringing himself to whisper in your ear. “not here. come with me.” your eyes widen as he sweeps you off of your seat with a single arm, carrying you bridal style. “here’s the money, sir. keep the change, thank you kindly.”

he grabbed your things with his free hand, and took you to a small, local inn in the town. you grew impatient at boothill, who did his best to be as quick as possible–practically throwing money at people instead of paying them properly, like the bartender or hotel concierge, without a care in the world. he had one thing in mind, and it was to get the two of you some privacy–for what was to come. the door behind boothill–who was still carrying you–had closed shut. “boothill–” you yelped as he dropped you on the bed. “eager, aren’t we?” your words slur. he turns to you with a dark look in his eyes. “you made the move, don’t you want this more than i do?” well, he was right. the two of you have been waiting for this for a while, but it was mostly you who subtly pushed the idea onto him. he always played around it, but now was truly the moment for him to take action on it.

his eyes flicker down to your lips, giving you a hint of what he’d do next. he hesitates for a moment, but soon gets into the sensation of kissing you. It was slow and sensual, tongue massaging the other as lips crash into one another. you break away to catch your breath.

despite being so eager and hungry like some dog moments ago, he surprisingly took things slowly. he kneeled down and folded his body to meet yours. feeling around your clothed body, his hands patiently explored the planes of your abdomen. little shivers would send down your spine when his fingers would brush against the more ticklish parts of you–particularly near your already wet heat. he’d bring his hand to play with one of your tits, as he kissed around where he pleased, palms kneading the flesh and fingers toying with your hardened nipples. they were sensitive, and you knew that. but you didnt know they could get this sensitive–especially when they’re not even bare. “i need more..” you bite your lip, rubbing your thighs together to compensate for the lack of friction between them.

while he mindlessly grinds the mattress beside you, he slips his hand underneath your blouse, to have his cold metal thumb to play with your stiffening bud. boothill’s eyes blow wise after a moan slips out of you. wanting to hear more, he climbs on top of you to rut into you instead.“may i?” you nod, and he slips his other hand to play with your other, neglected breast. as you pant and mewl, he nudges you to the edge, grinding his hips into yours fervently, brushing his fingers against your nipples with a steadily quick pace, and lips travelling down from your mouth to suckle at the crook of your neck.

you whine as he sucks harder and harder, leaving small, dark bruises. “h-hey.. stop. it hurts.” and he does. he pulls away and licks his lips, thumb brushing them right after. “sorry, sugarplum.” his words start to slur as well, his southern drawl thickening. “wait, did you really–”

“i did. because i care, hon.” your heart pounds and melts into mush at his small but meaningful words. but well, now you didn’t want to stop. you pull him up by the collar of his jacket to turn him around and push him back down. “may i?” he pleads a yes, and you then hurriedly unbuckle his belt to slip it out, and pull his tight leather pants down to reveal the very evident tent in his boxers. It was soaked in his arousal, which you knew was synthetic–but it still amazed you, knowing how detailed his anatomy was constructed to be. you slip his boxers away to see his erection spring up. you felt a wave of fear crash through you. how is this thing gonna fit? you shake away those useless thoughts and test the waters.

you experiment things you’ve thought about on him, starting by lightly stroking his dick. he brought his palm to cover his mouth, and squeezed his eyes shut–to prepare himself for whatever you had in store for him. “what, do you not like it?” you ask with genuineness. “n-no. i love it..” his face flares up in arousal, a deep blue appearing on his cheeks. his sensitivity settings must be high. your tongue flicks at his tip, then swirling your tongue around it. you attempt to take him in his entirety in your mouth, just to further lubricate him. but to be honest, it was pretty difficult to take more than half of his cock inside.

his dick reached the back of your throat by now. your head sloppily bobbed up and down, wrapping everything around him until you reached the base. he groaned and covered his mouth again, to suppress his whimpers and moans. “oh fork me.” you pull away with a pop, and start to unbuckle your own pants.

“whatever you say.” hearts practically carved into your eyes, your face showing a newfound kind of love for him. your trousers are pulled down, with your panties pulled to the side. you drag his cold and hard tip along your folds, teasing boothill. “do you like it like this?” you ask, continuing to rub your pussy along his tip. “as long as it’s you.” he would always sweet talk you just for the sake of sweet talk, but now it feels full of love and genuine care, it was like sugar. “stay still, sugarplum.” he fixes his hat on your head as it threatened to fall off.

“now, i think you should stay still.” you drop your hips without warning and snuggly wrap his dick with your warm walls. you groan in unison holding onto each other for dear life. his hands reach to grab your ass, smacking it firmly seconds later. you squeak. “ride like there’s no tomorrow, baby.” boothill glares with lust and love in his eyes, staring you down. you slowly move around his cock, grinding against his hips to get into motion. slowly but surely, you began to bounce on it, a wet smacking sound filling the room. with each thrust after trust of yours, he bucks up his hips to hit that spongy spot inside you. your arousal squirts everywhere as you squeal and scream his name endlessly. “that’s it, babygirl. keep going.” he spanks your ass again, having you squeak and throw your head back.

he pulls the camera from earlier out to take a shot. “smile!” the camera’s flash lights up the dimly lit room for a second, and reflects on your skin–which was coated in a thin sheen of sweat. boothill took a few more pictures, of your fucked out expressions, or crazy angles of you bouncing on his cock.

“i’m–i’m gonna come.” tears roll down your face, which are soon wiped away by boothill’s thumb. he hums lowly, telling you to go ahead. you yell out his name as you cream all over his dick, cum slowly dribbling out. his own climax follows after yours, and babbles your name drunkly. as you both come down from your highs, he comforts you as you sob and cry through it, waves and bolts of pleasure crashing and striking through you. all this tension between you two had finally been broken, and this might have been your best orgasm yet.

you languidly grind your hips against his, riding out your high. “ready for round two?” his hand rakes through your hair. your eyes light up. “hell yeah..” you were ready for another go, but your body said otherwise. you plop down on top of him in defeat. he lets out a soft laugh. “It’s alright, sugar. don’t sweat it.”

you raise your hips up for his still hard cock to pop out. boothill turns you around to pepper you–and especially your neck, in small pecks and kisses. you pull the hat on your head to cover your flushed face, but he pushes it back up to see you again. “I might just give this to you, you look good with it on.”

“you know,” he says in between kisses. “i’ve been waiting to do this with you for a while.” “really?” you coo. he hums in response, continuing to adorn your neck in loving marks. “i’ve just been.. waiting for you. I want to respect you and your decisions as much as i can.” “are you serious?” he paused to look at you, waiting for what else you had to say. “I’ve been hinting this at you for months..” nonetheless, your heart practically melted at those sweet words of his. he chuckles softly. “well, we both get want we want now.” “yeah.” you gently cup his cheeks as your forehead touches his. you both giggle.

“by the way, can i see the photos?” you’re curious about the shots he took.

#( dvmbification )#boothill #boothill smut #boothill x reader #boothill x fem reader #honkai star rail boothill #hsr boothill #hsr #honkai star rail #hsr smut #hsr x reader #hsr x fem reader #honkai star rail x fem reader #honkai star rail x reader #honkai star rail smut #hsr x you #boothill x you

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kodasmind · 10 months ago

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Unexpected Allies pt 2

The Fight for Respect

**Rhea Ripley x Reader x Damian Priest**

The arena was electric with excitement as Damian Priest stepped into the ring for his match against Carlisto. The crowd roared as the bell rang, signaling the start of the bout. Damian and Carlisto exchanged powerful blows, their movements swift and precise. After a grueling back-and-forth, Damian managed to land his finishing move, securing the pinfall victory.

The crowd erupted into cheers as Damian stood tall, raising his arms in celebration. He soaked in the adulation, his focus momentarily on the audience and the adrenaline coursing through him. However, the mood in the arena quickly shifted as JD McDonagh, Finn Bálor, Liv Morgan, and Dominik Mysterio stormed down the ramp, their expressions filled with malice.

The crowd’s cheers turned into a chorus of boos as JD, Finn, Liv, and Dom surrounded the ring. Without hesitation, they attacked Damian, who was still celebrating his hard-fought win. Finn and JD pummeled Damian, while Liv and Dom joined in, their assault merciless and coordinated.

From the backstage area, you and Rhea Ripley watched the scene unfold on a monitor. Without a second thought, you both bolted towards the ring, determined to help Damian. As you reached the ring, the chaotic scene grew even more intense.

Liv had just delivered a brutal kick to Damian’s ribs when you and Rhea slid under the ropes. You immediately engaged Liv, tackling her and pulling her away from Damian. Rhea, eyes blazing with anger, made a beeline for Dom and JD.

Rhea’s fury was palpable as she charged at Dom. Dom barely had time to react as Rhea grabbed him, lifting him with ease. She was about to deliver a Riptide, her signature move, when Liv, having recovered from your earlier attack, rushed to Dom’s aid. Liv managed to intercept Rhea, shoving her aside and causing Rhea to lose her grip on Dom.

“Stay away from him!” Liv shouted as she squared off against Rhea, the two women glaring at each other.

You, meanwhile, were locked in a fierce struggle with Liv, keeping her occupied and preventing her from interfering further. The crowd's cheers were a mix of support for Damian and excitement over the unexpected melee.

Damian, using the chaos to his advantage, managed to push JD and Finn off him. He staggered to his feet, clearly exhausted but determined. With a furious look, he joined the fray, aiding you and Rhea against the combined forces of Dom, Liv, JD, and Finn.

Rhea and you worked together with a fierce intensity, each move calculated to take down the attacking group. Rhea delivered a series of powerful strikes, pushing Dom and Finn back. You used your agility to keep Liv and JD at bay, your focus sharp as you fought alongside Rhea.

Despite the odds, the combined effort of you, Rhea, and Damian began to turn the tide. JD and Finn, realizing they were outnumbered and overpowered, started to retreat. Dom and Liv, caught off guard by the unexpected alliance, followed suit, scrambling up the ramp to escape the chaos.

As the attackers fled, you and Rhea stood alongside Damian in the center of the ring. Damian, breathing heavily but clearly relieved, glanced at both of you with gratitude.

“Thanks for the help,” Damian said, his voice tinged with exhaustion. “I didn’t expect the cavalry to show up.”

Rhea, still catching her breath, gave a nod of acknowledgment. “Just doing what needed to be done. We’re not letting them get away with this.”

You met Damian’s gaze, your expression resolute. “Consider it a temporary truce. Next time, we might be on opposite sides again.”

Damian gave a small smile, clearly appreciative of the support. “Got it. Let’s take this victory for now.”

As the arena’s lights dimmed and the crowd's cheers began to settle, you, Rhea, and Damian stood together in the ring. The unexpected alliance, forged in the heat of battle, had made a powerful statement. Despite the tensions that still lingered, the night had proven that sometimes, even the most unlikely allies could come together in the face of adversity.

#mami rhea #rhea ripley #rhea ripley imagine #rhea ripley x reader #wwe x reader #wwe imagine #the judgement day x reader #damian priest x reader #wwe damian priest #kodasmind

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moonlitcelestial · 20 days ago

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Chapter 25

Beyond the Lens - Logbook Videographer!Reader x OT8 Ateez

W/C 16,293

🎥 Series Masterlist 🎥

☽ Masterlist ☾

Inspiration Pictures

Pinterest Board Masterlist

Previous Chapter (Chapter 24)

Disclaimer: This story is purely a work of fiction. It is not meant to assume or mock anything about Ateez, Atiny, or anything relating to what I do not know about being a videographer. This story will follow several of the events that Ateez have done in the past year for Golden Hour Part 2, that being said I will not be able to include everything.

Contains she/her pronouns.

The logo in the center is mine. Please do not reuse or copy.

I strongly recommend looking at the inspiration pictures and the Pinterest boards linked above (which will be updating as the story goes on).

General Warnings: cussing, conflict, angst, fluff, and obliviousness.

CHAPTER WARNINGS - Sweet fluff, SPICY and HIGHLY SUGGESTIVE. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

It's finally arrived! I apologize for the delay, I am hoping to get back on my unofficial posting schedule this weekend! Let me know what you think! <3 Moonie

☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Someone was shaking you, with a groan you opened your eyes to see Meadow. Her blonde hair was up in a messy bun and her blue eyes were looking at you with concern.

“Good morning,” her eyebrows raised like you were crazy.

“Girl, it looks like you got into a fist fight with a block of steel, what happened? Do I need to kick someone’s ass?” You looked down and realized that the bruises were a very stark contrast to the white of Hetmongi.

“I will explain after I have had my morning drink. Is the baby Cheeto still on the bed? I don't want to disturb her.”

“Alright you little monsters, it's coming, calm down.” Aurora’s voice carried over the yelling of the two orange cats. You giggled and sat up. Meadow handed you your glasses before offering you a hand to help you up. You placed your arm into it and she pulled you to a standing position. She grinned at you before making her way out to the kitchen, you followed and the smell of breakfast greeted you.

“Good morning, we were surprised to see you crashed out in the bed this morning. Is everything okay?” Aurora slid over a cup of your favorite drink before grabbing her own.

“It’s a long ass story.”

“We have all the time in the world if you feel like sharing.” the pair of them were watching you with curious gazes. A timer went off and Aurora moved to open the stove, Meadow gravitated toward her offering some oven mitts. As soon as you caught sight of the huge cinnamon rolls your mouth started watering.

“If you bribe me with one of those I will tell you anything, even some embarrassing secrets,” Meadow’s responding laughter echoed around the kitchen, you caught Aurora’s small smile out of the corner of your eye.

“We were going to give you some anyway.”

“Thank the gods.” you approached the cupboard and grabbed the plates before handing them to the couple. Aurora dished out one and you rotated the plates until the three of you had a heaping cinnamon roll with lots of frosting. You followed the pair into the living room and sat on the floor in front of the coffee table. Cheese and Cheeto were perched in their cat tree watching over all three of you as you took your respective seats. With a deep breath you launched into the story of the past few days. Their reactions were just about the same as yours, shock and pride filled their gazes as you got to the meat of the story. More than once they told you they were proud of you for standing your ground and not forgiving him right away. Meadow was keeping you stocked with food and any other things she could think of to keep you grounded while you spoke, even going to grab the Hetmongi in the other room for you after you became too stuffed from eating her cinnamon rolls.

“So, what are you going to do?”

“Honestly I have no idea, I can't let this interfere with my job too much. I still have to get shit done before we really start ramping up our schedules for their comeback.” You knew that their promotions were going to start soon, and by that token you knew you would have to take that into account going forward.

“Maybe you should focus on finishing up some of the other projects you have while I cover the boys.”

“I’ve kind of considered that but I just don't want it to seem like I am pulling away from all of them when I really only have an issue with Hongjoong. You also don't really have the greatest portable setup so it might be more of a hassle for you to do it.”

“I mean, it’s whatever you are comfortable with, but if that’s what we need to do then that’s what we need to do.” She shrugged like it wouldn't be a hassle for her to only have one small screen; having multiples is what worked best for the majority of your work. That specifically is the reason you bought your extender, if you hadn't you couldn't have been able to do as much as you have on the go.

“How about you just think about it, you really don't have to make a decision today.” Meadow, always the voice of reason, was watching you as you messed with Hetmongi in your lap.

“Yeah, I know. You know me though I like to have a decent plan for everything.”

“And while I adore that about you, sometimes just taking it step by step is what needs to happen.” You nodded to Meadow. “Now that we have that out of the way, give me your hands so I can check them to see if you injured yourself being a dumbass without wraps.”

“There’s Dr Moretti,” you laughed at Aurora’s comment while she looked at her wife with a large smile. Without a second thought you offered her your hands to look at. She was looking over the back of your hands with careful consideration. With a small movement of her wrist your hand was flexed into a straight position, you winced and gritted your teeth while she checked your range of motion.

“Flex them into fists as best you can.” You started to close your fists but you got barely halfway before feeling the pain. You gritted your teeth trying to get farther but the swelling and pain wouldn't let you.

“Squeeze” she offered you her fingers to squeeze. You took them and squeezed until you couldn't fathom the pain anymore. When she deemed it enough she pulled her hands away from yours lightly.

“You still have decent strength, nothing seems to be broken but the swelling is something I worry about. You need to ice and rest it above your heart as much as you can. Take some over the counter pain meds to help reduce the swelling, and no compression gloves like I saw on the nightstand. I know they took away the pain a little but they can do more harm than good most of the time. Watch how you use it on your creative console and that fuckass trackball mouse, small spurts are okay but not too long. No piano for the time being and no more murdering punching bags for hours either. You should hopefully be completely better in about four weeks with how deep these bruises run, you got damn lucky you didnt get a boxer's fracture. Just.. take it easy with nothing too strenuous, stretch it out the best you can from time to time and let me know if it gets worse. If the bruising isn't gone in that time frame you need to come see me so we can rule out worse things than a bruise. You handled that better than most of the hardcore athletes I have done here recently, the big ass babies.” The laughter echoed around the living room at her comment. Leave it to her to drag the huge athletes she takes care of like she isn't less than half their height and weight. You gave her a mock salute and she rolled her eyes at you.

After a little while of catching up with the couple and watching some shows you stretched out and gently scooted Cheese out of your lap. She jumped down without a struggle but turned around to look at you with a pitiful look. “Don't look at me like that, I needed to move because my legs were going numb you shitlin.”

You turned to the couple that was cuddled up on the other side of the couch completely engrossed in their kdrama. “Would one of you be willing to take me home?”

“Yeah, we can you want to go now or do you want to wait a little while?”

“I'd like to go now if that’s okay, I just want to be home with my babies and I have a couple of things I would like to get done today.” The two of them nodded and got up, you followed their lead and went to change into a spare pair of clothes you had here. You threw on the black cropped tee with white stitching and the black shorts before slipping on your birkenstocks from last night. You grabbed the couple of things you had here and put them into the small sack Yunho had given you. When you were sure you had everything you walked out and were met with both Cheese and Cheeto. You squatted down to the girls and offered your hand, the two of them rubbed on your hand and you smiled. It was odd seeing normal sized cats sometimes, you tended to forget that your giants were giants compared to most others; especially these two. When their moms came out of their shared room you smiled up at them.

“Ready?” Meadow was twirling her keys in her hand, you knew you were in for a fun ride if she was driving. You followed the pair out the door while tying your hair up. When you reached her deep blue BMW she grinned at you while she got in the driver's seat. Aurora made her way around and hopped into the back seat diagonal from her wife. After Aurora was settled you got into the front with Meadow. The car hummed to life and she took off toward your house. Through the ride you were all jamming to loud music as soon as you got out of the big city. Your hair was blowing back in the breeze and the small fly aways were atrocious as she sped through the winding roads. The three of you were laughing like maniacs as she took a curve quickly. When she got to your gate she pulled up and put in the code and made her way toward the house. The shade of the large trees was a welcome reprieve from the sun. When you got to the driveway she parked her car and looked over to you.

“If you need anything, anything at all, we are here for you. Please keep me updated on your hands.” you nodded to Meadow and pulled her into a hug before getting out of the car. Aurora slid into the seat you previously occupied and grabbed Meadow’s hand.

“You know where to find me, hopefully I will see you tomorrow. If not I’ll either come check on you or message you. You are welcome ove at ours any time no matter what.”

“Thank you, both of you. I really appreciate you. I love you, have a good rest of your day.”

“We love you too. Have a good day Boo” Meadow put the car in drive and continued driving around your circular drive to head back the way you came. When they were out of sight you walked up to your house. Beans was peeking out the nook window at you, she gave a small chirp which could barely be heard through the windows. It attracted the attention of Mocha who was lying behind her curled up. You walked into the house with a smile and immediately went over to the nook to pay attention to your girls. When you got close enough Mocha got up and stretched out before rubbing on your outstretched hand.

You petted them before wandering away to find Toothless who was curled up on his window hammock in the kitchen. His immediate reaction was to get up as soon as he saw you. He let out a small squeak before jumping down to rub on your legs. When you reached for him he got up on his back legs to get to your hand quicker. You petted him and he was purring and staring up at you with his big green eyes. He really was a real life Toothless, right down to the temperament. After you were finished petting him you walked over to your suitcase to grab it to bring up to the laundry room. When you were finished throwing everything in the washer you moved on to do a couple of more chores. While you were moving around the house you were being followed by the giants. As soon as you would turn a corner they were there staring at you expectantly. On more than one occasion you nearly tripped over them while walking up the stairs. “What do you want?”

Their responding meows told you absolutely nothing. With a roll of your eyes you made your way over to the basement. As soon as you had stepped into the room they went for the couch, now you understood. “Is it cuddle time, you big babies?”

You settled onto the couch and were immediately met with Toothless in your face. All of their weight was on their front paws while they trampled you. Toothless was rubbing his face on your glasses and face which made you fall into a fit of giggles. Beans was kneading on your thighs and Mocha was laying by your feet. The three of them were just loving on you as much as they could. Their comfort was some of your favorite comfort. When Toothless was finished with his love ambush he cuddled down up close to your face. Thankfully the remote was nearby, you grabbed it and turned on one of your favorite comfort shows. When it was rolling you moved to rest your hands on the back of the couch so the swelling would possibly go down. After a few episodes of your show you were getting restless.

“Would the three of you be willing to let me up so I can go and get in the pool?” None of them moved, you snorted before gently pushing off all three of them. When you stood your back cracked loudly and you let out a small groan at the pain of the pops. You made your way to your room and grabbed your celestial swimsuit before heading down the stairs.

As soon as you stepped outside you were met with the humid heat. Because it was in the middle of the summer you didn’t want to leave the doors open for the giants at this time of the day. You glanced behind you to the children who were staring at you through the window from their favorite places on the treehouse. You snickered and snapped a picture before connecting to the several speakers throughout the backyard. When you were satisfied with the playlist you chose you threw your phone onto the canopy chair. Deciding to be a little chaotic you took a running start and dove into the pool. As soon as you broke the surface you were grinning. It’s been a while since you just got some time to yourself in the pool. You swam around a little before you moved to the side to grab one of your floaties. As soon as you had it in your grasp you heaved yourself onto it and just let it float with you around the pool. Every once in a while you would glance back at the window, more often than not Toothless was sitting there watching you.

After looking over and seeing him at the back door standing on his back feet pawing at the door you gave in. You grabbed his floaty and you jumped out from the side of the pool to make your way onto the patio and let him out with you. He stopped and you clipped it onto him before leading him out to the stairs. As soon as you stepped into the water he followed you in. When you moved around he was diligently following you, you grabbed some of his floaty toys and threw them around for him to chase after. He was content just swatting a ball around while you watched from afar. He was the best impulsive decision you ever made, after hearing that no one wanted him because of his extra toes you couldn't pass him up. Having him around to be your boy for the last couple of years has been a blessing. He was one of the typical attached at the hip boy cats for his girl. There was some splashing and you looked over to see him approaching you. When he got into range he tried climbing up onto you, with quick movements you scooped him up and put him over your shoulder. This was his sign that he was done for the day.

You made your way out of the pool and set him down on the canopy chair and took off his floaty. Once you were done you grabbed your phone and had him follow you back up to the house. He was patient as you toweled him off and as soon as you were done he took off. Generally after getting in the pool and towel dried he got the zoomies; which in turn gave the girls the zoomies. You moved to the island stools and took a seat so you wouldn't get knocked over. Your phone started vibrating and flashing next to you. With a glance at the screen you saw Seonghwa calling you. You answered the facetime call and as soon as you did Toothless took off through the living room and nearly careened into the couch as he was sliding around. Slapping your hand over your mouth you let out a laugh, the pain sent a small jolt through you but you couldn't care.

Seonghwa was just watching you as you were laughing at something beyond the screen, he chose not to disturb your giddiness. As soon as you looked down at your phone you saw his smiling face and smiled back at him.

“Hi, my star. How are you doing?”

“I’m doing better now that I see my beautiful girlfriend.” You rolled your eyes at him and caught a streak of white behind your screen. Peeking around your phone you saw Mocha chasing Toothless. She caught up to him and damn well tackled him; although she was the smaller of the two by a couple or three pounds she was kicking his ass. Toothless let out a pathetic meow before they took off again.

“What are you giggling at Yeobo (Darling)?” You flipped your camera around just in time for Beans to join the fray by running across the back of the couch and around the treehouse to the pedestals on the ceiling. Mocha was not too far behind her and before you knew it they were running around in circles on the ceiling.

“This happens every time Toothless comes in from being in the water, he starts a zoomies war.” Seonghwa was laughing as he watched the girls chase each other around. Toothless appeared out of the void and was sliding around on the wooden floor chasing after one of the fake mouse toys. It was all around chaos.

“So Yeobo (Darling), I was initially calling to ask you a question.” You looked back down at the screen and flipped it around to show you. His smile brightened just a little as you came back into the frame.

“What’s up Naui Byeolnim (my star)?”

“Before you left you mentioned that you wanted to do the Legos after you got back from Paris, and I have a free afternoon and evening so I wanted to know if we could make a date night out of it; if you are up for it of course,”

“That would be fun! Although I hope you'll be patient with me cause my fine motor skills are a little limited,” You chuckled a little at the thought of attempting to put together legos.

“When are you thinking of coming over? Do you want anything in particular for dinner?”

“How about you and I cook something together and then we can watch Beauty and the Beast while we put the castle together?”

“I would love to. I do have one stipulation.” He nodded his head at you, his hair flopped down in front of his eyes and you really wanted to brush it out of his face.

“You bring your swimsuit.”

“What for?”

“I have a couple of ideas to add to your plan, if you are up for a couple of surprises.” His smile got even bigger while he was nodding at you. You matched his grin and you just sat there watching the other in silence. God he was so pretty. There was the clicking of a door popping open in the background of his call.

“Hwa, you ready to record your part?” Maddox’s voice sounded softly in the background. Your eyebrows raised as you were watching him in the frame. When was this added to the schedule?

“Yeah, give me a second and I'll head in.” He turned back toward you, a small smile gracing his face.

“I’ve gotta get going, I'll see you later my moon. I love you, be careful with your hands.”

“I will, I love you too, my star.” He hung up the call and you set your phone on the counter. You had at least a couple of hours before he would get here, what could you do to occupy your time until then? Before you got too far into thinking you figured you should at least cover up the swimsuit for now. Wandering upstairs to your room you put on one of your skirts and a button up, you tied the button up into the swimsuit top and checked yourself out in the mirror. You looked damn good. After getting situated you made your way back downstairs and grabbed your camera bag to take into your office. When you opened the door the quick padding of cat feet immediately came your way. With a shake of your head you left the door open for the eager giants, you put your backpack on your desk and started unpacking. Setting your cameras to the side, you decided that you would work on some of Hyunjin’s pictures and videos instead of actual work.

Before you could do anything you put on your horned headphones after taking them off their designated stand. You started up your computer and got into your apps to be able to edit everything. Once you pulled a couple over from your cloud you got to work editing, Hyunjin had an amazing eye for capturing pictures and it really showed in the ones he took that night. You laughed as you opened one of them to see San attempting to chase after you through the trees. (something like this) You added a couple of effects and saved a couple of extras. Another one was of you and San just walking through the trees back toward your house. (this) With that picture you barely had to make any adjustments, it looked so perfect already from the raw shot. You continued like this bobbing your head to your playlist that picked up from when you left off outside. Most of the other pictures he got were of the plants and flowers. Your favorite one of those was the one of your willow tree lit up in all its glory. You were grinning while looking over that photo, spending several summer nights climbing that tree with and without a ladder paid off. You even had to recruit the team to help you, bribing them with wine and swimming after you were finished.

★☆☽ O ☾☆★

You were finishing up the final pictures so you could send them to Hyunjin. Out of the corner of your eye you spotted some kind of movement, you glanced over thinking it was one of the giants running around, boy were you wrong. Seonghwa was standing in the doorway looking at you with a tilt of his head. As soon as your brain caught up with your eyes you looked back at him with wide eyes while taking off your headphones leaving them to rest around your neck.

“Weren't you told to take it easy and not work too much with your fuckass trackball mouse?”

“That fucking traitor,” Seonghwa laughed at your reaction before stepping into your office.

“Save your work and shut it down, no more for the rest of the day.”

“But this is the last picture,” you pouted at him and he was trying so hard to suppress his smile at you.

“Okay, the last picture then you can send them out but after that you are mine.”

“I’m already yours but okay,” His face morphed into shock momentarily while he processed what you said; you turned back to the computer with a smug grin. He stood at the back of your chair with his hands on your shoulders just watching. You were moving your mouse around quickly to adjust the final picture of the peony you gave him. As soon as you were finished you added them to a compressed zip file and sent it off to Hyunjin.

“Alright, shut it down and come on, I'm starving.” You laughed at him as you saved your work. When you were finished you took off your headphones, turned them off and put them back in their spot. As soon as you were completely done Seonghwa escorted you out of the room and clicked his tongue for the giants to follow before shutting the door. You saw some bags on the counter and approached cautiously ahead of him.

“Wait a minute,” you froze and looked back at Seonghwa who was just staring at you with wide eyes and his jaw slack. “When did you get that?”

You glanced down and smiled, “oh, y’know, just about a week ago.”

“And you didn't think to share?” he was approaching you just looking back and forth from your eyes to the back of your leg. As soon as he got close enough he dropped into a crouch behind you. He was looking over the tattoo like it was an art piece in a museum, he had grabbed your leg and was slightly turning you so he could see everything. When he ran his fingers over the ink you shivered, goosebumps broke out across your arms and legs.

“It’s beautiful, does it have a meaning?” He was looking up at you through his lashes. That sight was something that you would never get out of your head.

“I thought it would be a good symbol that sometimes you have to fight for balance, and when it is finally achieved beauty follows.”

“Why are you such a poet? That’s absolutely beautiful.”

“Thanks Hwa, come on, let's get the food started.” You continued on your way to the kitchen and surveyed the food he got. Several kinds of different meats and a couple of vegetables. You started to rummage around the kitchen for some of the things that could be added to give it some flavor, after pulling out most of the herbs and spices you like you realized that you were nearly out of a couple.

“Hwa, I have to go to the garden to grab some things, you wanna stay here or you wanna come with me?”

“I’ll go, I'd like to see the garden in the daylight anyway.” You nodded to him and motioned for him to grab his shoes, you slipped yours on and waited for him to come to the back door with you. When he approached he grabbed your hand gently and followed your lead out the door. The two of you walked in relative silence before you heard the call of a magpie above you. You stopped short to look out for the black and white bird, it chirped again and you saw it. Your eyes immediately welled up and you watched the bird with a small smile.

There was something just pulling at your heartstrings about seeing one of the symbols of someone watching over you while you were headed to a garden your Granny would have been envious of. On the land that she and Papa helped you get with a man that held you close while you were missing them. You scooted closer to Seonghwa who stood there with you, no questions asked, just a solid presence while you watched the bird. “You okay my moon?”

You let out a tiny choked laugh and turned to him, “I am more than okay my star, just thinking of my Granny and Papa and how they would have loved this place I have created and the people I have surrounded myself with.”

He nodded at you and pulled you into a side hug before placing a kiss on your temple. You took one last look at the magpie in the trees above you before it flew away. A beautiful reminder that you were meant to be where you are today. You resumed walking and he stayed close with an arm around your shoulder. As soon as you got to the greenhouse you went in and grabbed a small pair of scissors before you moved to the herbs section. You snipped a couple stems before going over to your small herb basket and putting them in. Seonghwa just followed you around the greenhouse as you moved between the small rows of herbs. When you had enough to have some for at least a little while you turned to look at him with a smile. “Ready to go?”

“Can we go to the flower garden?” He was standing there looking at you with his hands woven together in front of him and a small smile.

“Yeah, I think I can squeeze that in, but last I checked you were starving.” You gave him a tilt of your head with a small smirk playing across your lips. He looked down and mumbled something under his breath.

“What was that?” You took a step closer to him and his eyes immediately met yours. As you got closer you could see the caramel colors in his beautiful eyes, that normally weren’t visible, in the mid afternoon light. His brain was short circuiting as you stood in front of him within arms reach. He opened his mouth to say something but immediately cut himself off, seemingly thinking better of himself.

“I wanted to get flowers for you, if that’s okay,” His voice was just barely above a whisper, but it spoke volumes in the quiet of the greenhouse. Your grin was immediate, as was his blush under your gaze. You took a step forward and cupped one of his burning cheeks, he would blame it on the warmth in the greenhouse but you knew better. He leaned his face into your palm and closed his eyes, relishing in your presence and gentle touch.

“You are so sweet. Come on, let's go to the flower garden and I can show you how to cut them.” His eyes flew open and a large grin stretched across his face. You motioned for him to lead the way and he almost took off running, with a light chuckle you followed him with your little herb basket. When he was far enough ahead of you he turned back to you with a large grin, he held out his hand to you to beckon you forward. You quickened your pace to put your hand in his, he gently started guiding you toward the moon gates before he stopped short. He turned to look at you with childlike wonder before turning back to whatever caught his attention. When you saw what he was freaking out for you let out a laugh, the resident bunnies were out and about.

“There is a family of them that lives around here somewhere. I see them a lot if I am out and about during the day.” His responding gasp was entertaining as another one came out of the bushes. Before too long Seonghwa ended up crouched just watching them play amongst the flowers. He had brought out his phone and was taking pictures of them with a giant smile. A rustle of the bushes caught your attention, you stole a glance to your left where you heard the sound.

“Hwa, don't make any sudden movements but I need you to look to your left.” You watched with a grin as his eyes got wide before turning to look toward his left, there inching closer to him was one of the smaller bunnies. His body was absolutely rigid as he took in the small animal and its cute twitching nose. With slow movements you grabbed a piece of rosemary and held it out in front of Seonghwa. He was moving almost as slow as a sloth as he took it from you and offered it to the bunny.

The small creature’s nose twitched several more times before coming forward to nibble at the sprig offered to it. Without missing a beat you grabbed your phone and took a picture of him. (Something like this) You watched the interaction in awe of how he was a literal Disney Princess with the looks and apparently an affinity with animals. He was looking at the bunny for a while before he glanced at you out of the corner of his eyes. You could just barely see the grin on his face as the bunny took the herb away from him.

Something in the distance scattered all of the bunnies in the surrounding area, they took off into and around the bushes so quickly you could barely make out where they ended up. Seonghwa turned to look at you with a small pout before standing back up to his normal height. He approached you and you held out your arms so he could dramatically fall into them. “They all left.”

“It’s okay, they will be back eventually. How about we plan a picnic sometime with some of the quieter boys and we can sit out here under the gazebo and watch them, does that sound good to you?” He nodded against you and pulled away before kissing you sweetly.

“Come on, let's get some flowers,” you started toward the gazebo where your clippers were. Just like the last time you were out here you dug around for them and produced a basket for him to hold onto as you walked around the garden.

“Alright love, my first tip, with roses if you pinch toward the base of the bloom and it is firm it will last longer, the reason it will last longer is because it is toward the beginning of its bloom. When they aren't as firm they have been in bloom for longer.” You tested some of them and motioned for him to give you his hand. As soon as you had it you showed him the difference between one that was toward the end of its blooming life and one that was at the beginning.

“Wah, that’s amazing! I didn't know that was a thing” He was pinching some of the other blooms before turning back to you with a grin.

“Now, when you have chosen the ones you want to cut you want to make sure you have enough stem for them to go into a vase. I tend to cut them about 15 or 16 centimeters (~6 inches) or if you prefer to see a physical measurement I hold my hand out to it and will measure by the stretch from my thumb to pinky which is about the same length.” You tested a few flowers before finding one that would be suitable. Once you found one that would be good you held out your hand and measured it to the best of your ability, the stretch was a little painful but not unbearable. When you had sight of where you should cut you did so. You turned around to offer Seonghwa the flower and he was just watching you with a small love struck look.

“What?” You asked him while placing the rose in the basket he offered you.

“You’re very knowledgeable is all, and the way you explained it and showed me how to do it is something that not a lot of people would do. Most of the time I’ll see people that will just tell you how to do it and then leave you to your own devices, this way of learning is so much better.”

“Thank you, I know people learn differently so I like to make sure they can understand what I am showing them. Where I am a very hands on and visual person with a touch of being able to listen and figure things out. I know everyone has a way they learn so I try to be conscientious of that fact.”

“You're amazing,” you waved your hand in a dismissing motion while trying to cover your face. His small chuckle told you that he caught on to you trying to hide your blush

“Now, it’s your turn.” You held out the shears and he gently took them from you. With a swift motion you took the basket off of his arm and held it while he explored some of the blooms. He trimmed several roses before immediately going over to the white peonies.

“Fair warning, these generally are covered in ants because of how strong their sweet scent is so be careful.” He nodded while he was inspecting the large beautiful white blooms; you could practically feel the gears turning in his brain. He cut several of the peonies before heading over to you with his handful. He set them into the basket before taking it off your arm.

“I’m ready to go now!” You couldn't keep the grin from spreading across your face.

“Lead the way then,” you flourished your arms in front of you to motion him forward. He rolled his eyes at you before gently taking your hand and placing it on his bicep so you could walk arm in arm back around the bend to the house. You were just walking quietly through the trees when Seonghwa stopped walking and turned to you.

“Can I tell you something?” You stared up at him, his eyes were serious but there was an undercurrent of nervousness in them.

“Of course”

“We are really happy you accepted our offer to be in our relationship, I don't think many of us told you that. We have been together for years and really hadn't considered adding someone else to our relationship until you came along. Being able to see how you move and work within our relationship makes me extremely happy. You brighten our days with your smile and how you hold yourself is something we admire about you.” He stopped to take a breath. He held eye contact while he was talking but in the small pause he looked down to the baskets slung across your arms and your hands that were now intertwined. You stood there in silence letting him piece his thoughts together. He looked back up to you and all you could see was the person behind the idol image. The one that was scared and lonely in the beginning, who, despite his confidence on stage, is still scared that he won't make it. The one who is constantly caring and worrying for others. You could see Seonghwa, and every facet beyond his carefully constructed armor.

“When you took care of Hongjoong when he was close to burnout without hesitation and such quiet gentle care I think that was the moment I fell in love with you. Then I saw how you were able to calm not one but two of us without hesitation after the whole security issue and fell even harder. In those moments I thought to myself she’s the last piece of our puzzle that we didn't even know we needed. Yunho can only do and see so much but you, you have the ability to know before something even happens. I think that's part of the reason I was so drawn to you, I could tell that you were someone we needed; someone we wanted.” You took his basket of flowers and set it on the ground along with your smaller basket. As soon as you were satisfied that they were stable you leapt into his arms. He made a startled noise before wrapping his arms around you. You buried your head into the crook of his neck and squeezed him; which he returned.

“I love you so much Seonghwa,” he squeezed you even tighter to him. You pulled yourself away from him and leaned in to kiss him. Your eyes fluttered closed as his soft lips moulded against yours. His hands settled themselves on your exposed back while yours were around his neck pulling him impossibly closer. There was no room between your bodies as you stood there wrapped in each other's embrace. The kiss was slow and filled with love, if you could have you would have melted into a puddle. His hands were tracing up and down your back, he lingered on some of the more textured skin from your tattoo just running his fingertips over the ink. It sent a shiver up your spine which prompted you to separate from him. You put your forehead against his and just sat there breathing the other in.

“I love you too Y/n,” a breathy chuckle left your kiss swollen lips.

“You keep distracting us, I’m starting to think you might not be as hungry as you initially said.” His laughter echoed through the trees. Without saying a word he picked up his basket of flowers and your basket of herbs and slung them over one arm while offering you the other. You tucked your hand comfortably against his bicep and followed his lead back up to the house. When you got within range you could see the children just sitting there watching you; like always.

Once you stepped into the house you immediately moved toward the kitchen with Seonghwa in tow. Getting under your sink you procured a couple of vases for Seonghwa to pick from while you started pulling out pots and pans for dinner. He was humming as he put the bouquet together. Before you could get much farther than washing your hands to slice up the meat you were gently tugged away and presented the flowers. Your jaw dropped, he had made the roses the centerpiece and they were sprinkled throughout the white making them pop.

“Well, you’re an expert on arranging flowers, it looks gorgeous Hwa.” His beaming bashful smile warmed your heart.

“Only the best for you my moon,” He leaned down and placed a small kiss on your forehead before moving past you and washing his hands to start helping with dinner. After he washed his hands he moved toward the food you had prepped before he pulled you away, he started cutting each of the ingredients up and placing them in small respective piles, being sure not to cross contaminate anything.

Any time you tried to help he gently shushed you away, no matter how small the task. Cutting herbs? Nope, he immediately took over. Starting to pan sear the meat, absolutely not. Trying to grab something off the shelf? His hand met your waist while he reached around you and snatched it before you could. ”Hwa, you know the term together means you actually have to let me do something.”

“You are supervisory personnel, that’s your job. All you have to do is sit there and look pretty while I do the rest. Besides, it’s not like you can curl your hand enough to hold a knife or chopsticks, don't act like I didn't see you struggling with the scissors earlier”

You rolled your eyes at him with a huff while you crossed your arms, “I’m not completely helpless I just need different tools, which I have if you would let me grab them.”

“Nope, so sit down and let me care for you, you stubborn woman.” You huffed again and plopped into one of the chairs at the island. He chuckled and stole a glance up at you through his lashes while he was cutting vegetables.

“While you’re sitting there, why don't you ice the back of your hands yeobo (darling).” You nodded and got up to go grab a couple of your ice packs to lay on the back of your hands. When you had one settled on the counter with the ice on the back of it you struggled to get the other one on. Seonghwa reached up and placed it over the back of your other hand before resuming his mission.

“Thank you,” he hummed his response before moving over to the stove. You watched him flutter around your kitchen flipping between several pans while he cooked for you. Throughout the entire thing he would offer you small bites over the island counter. You knew he would be offering you something as soon as he stepped away from the stove with his hand hovering under the chopsticks. At one point he did an airplane movement before putting it in your mouth. While you were chewing the piece of food he gave you you held eye contact with him and you could tell he was trying so hard to suppress his smile while he watched you. When you finished chewing the two of you couldn’t keep it together much longer before falling into a fit of laughter.

After you recovered from the entire airplane debacle he plated everything up and handed it to you with a pair of chopsticks. You looked at him and back at the chopsticks, it was then that he seemed to remember your predicament; he swiftly moved to the silverware drawer and grabbed you a fork and spoon. While they weren’t much better they would relieve some of the motion of your hands as you ate. The two of you ate in almost silence, the children had lined themselves up on the chairs surrounding the pair of you. Mocha was on one side of you while Beans and Toothless were on the other side of Seonghwa. You offered Mocha a piece and she gently took it from you and began to eat it, once she was satisfied with her bite of food she got down and wandered off.

“All you keep me around for is the food isn’t it you menace,” you muttered while she sauntered away. Seonghwa let out a snort at your muttered phrase. You turned to look over at him and he was covering his mouth with his hands while looking at you. “What?”

“You’re a goofball.”

“Thanks, I'll take that as a compliment” You turned back toward the food and began to eat again.

“You should, it’s cute.”

After getting seconds you and Seonghwa were absolutely stuffed. You were leaning back in your stool while he moved around cleaning everything up. He had adamantly refused your help, yet again, while he washed the dishes and packed up some of the leftovers for later. While his back was turned you snuck off your chair and into the gaming room. With quick movements you snagged your two lightsabers off the top shelf of the display case where you hid them. Trying to find a good display for the two of them that fit the aesthetic was proving to be difficult; to be quite honest you had forgotten about them until the Starwars nerd in the other room had waltzed into your life.

You snuck around and hid behind the door as best you could while he was finishing things up. When he turned back around to find you gone his eyes widened dramatically. “Y/n-nie?”

You snickered quietly from your spot as you watched him through the crack in the door. He was walking around suspiciously; rightfully so after the last time they couldn't find you. You moved on silent feet while his back was turned. Once you were settled in your spot you turned on your purple lightsaber trying to keep a straight face.

“It’s over Anakin, I have the high ground.” His responding jump made you giggle while he turned to look at you with squinted eyes. Immediately they widened upon seeing you with two lightsabers standing proudly over him with one foot on the back of the couch and a large grin on your face. You tossed the one you hadn’t turned on to him and he snagged it out of the air.

As soon as he had it in his hands he turned it on. A large grin like Cheshire the cat spread across his face as he noticed that it was yellow; just like his at home. “You underestimate my power.”

“Don't try it,” You leapt off the couch and flourished your lightsaber before striking yours against his. The two of you engaged in a quick battle of back and forth while the sounds of the lightsabers filled the room. You were grinning at him as you herded him backwards, before you could get close enough he took off in a sprint toward the stairs. Your laughter echoed around the great room as you took off after him. You took the stairs two at a time and made it to a couple of steps before the landing, he was standing there menacingly with his lightsaber pointed at you.

“Who’s got the high ground now Obi-Wan?” Your responding cackle surprised him, which gave you a small enough window that you could smack his lightsaber down and take the last couple of steps toward him. He backed away from you, his lightsaber hanging by his side as he watched you.

“Do you really think I would go down without a fight?” His eyes were wide as saucers. “You may have had the high ground but I have something even better. The element of surprise!” You moved quickly and brought down your lightsaber in an arcing motion, it made light contact with the top of his head before you brought it back to your side.

“Did you just bonk me?” You raised your eyebrows at him in response.

“Maybe, but what are you gonna do about it?” He raised his yellow lightsaber in a defensive position while you did the same.

“A duel to the death, loser has to make dessert; after the legos.”

“Deal, I expect something extravagant to be bestowed upon me when I win.” He moved first coming at you with a quick flurry of motion. You countered all of the swings he took. While he focused on stepping toward you you took a small step toward him which knocked him off balance just minutely. You started toward him with a few flourishing moves which he also countered, you got close enough and crossed lightsabers.

“Hmm, I’m thinking some kind of cookie, or maybe some brownies and ice cream.”

“Don't get your hopes up Dalnim (moon),” His smirk was cocky as the two of you stepped back away from each other. You held up your lightsaber and he held up his, with quick movements you struck again. Barely giving him any time to react; his quick reflexes kicked in and he blocked the blow that would have made him lose. His block of your move gave him the window to step toward you and you took a step back and were met with a furry body running into you. Your eyes widened as you realized you were falling and couldn't catch yourself with your hands and that Seonghwa was just a step too far to be able to catch you in time. You stuck your elbows out to catch the brunt of your fall backwards.

You were giggling as you hit the floor, Beans had immediately run off as soon as you tripped over her. Of course this is how it would end. Seonghwa was barely concealing some level of concern but what got you the most was him trying and failing to hide his small smile. Before he had time to second guess himself he poked you in the stomach, your laughter got louder while you flopped completely on the floor dramatically. “You have bested me Anakin, goodbye cruel world, I'll see you in hell.”

You reached up dramatically toward Seonghwa before letting your hand fall against your stomach and closing your eyes. His laughter finally broke free of the restraint he had on it. You peeked your eyes open and looked at him, he was bent over himself and clutching his stomach as he laughed so hard he was almost wheezing. He knelt on the floor and landed next to you dramatically. Both of you laid on the ground just staring at the ceiling, when Beans had finally come out of hiding she came and got onto your stomach. You responded with a grunt and started petting her as she was demanding. “You traitor.”

“She’s cute though, so she should be forgiven,” you turned to look at Seonghwa and he was already watching you and Beans.

“There’s nothing to forgive,” you turned back to the baby in your face and ran your hands over her fluffy fur. After a couple of minutes you placed both of your hands on either side of her face and pushed the fur down so she looked really skinny. She shook herself out and nose booped your nose before getting off of you.

“You ready to build some Legos Hwa?”

“I was born ready Y/n-nie” He got up from next to you and offered you a hand to help you up. You gave him your arm and he hoisted you upwards. When you were fully upright you gave him a kiss on the cheek before heading down the stairs with your lightsaber. After you put it back on top of the shelf you motioned for him to follow you into the basement where you generally put everything together. At the base of the stairs was Toothless, it was like he knew what you were going to be doing. Spread out in the middle of the rug in front of the couch was Mocha, right where you generally sat. You made your way over to the hiding spot you had and pulled out the box.

Seonghwa stood there watching where you hid it like he would have to use the information for later. You stepped past him and set the box on the floor before moving to get the several small trays you used to sort out the pieces. When you had them spread out you moved to get the large tray for where the construction would take place. As soon as you pulled it out from between your bookshelves Seonghwa moved toward you in an attempt to help. You swung at him to get him to go away and he reluctantly let you carry it over to the rug. After everything was set up you turned to look at him, he was surveying all of the trays scattered over the floor with curious eyes.

“Ready?” His gaze snapped to yours and he gave an excited nod. Before sitting down you grabbed the remote and turned on the original Beauty and the Beast. Seonghwa busied himself with sorting out the bags onto the various trays while you kept an eye out for the giants. He handed you the book and you laid it out in front of you.

With a smile you pulled the first tray toward you that he had dumped the number one out on. You took a look at the book and grabbed the first few pieces to start putting them together, but it proved to be difficult to manage the small pieces. On the third try you were getting frustrated with yourself as the pieces wouldn’t clip together like they should have been. Seonghwa, who could probably sense your growing frustration, reached over and lightly put his hand over yours.

“I know you want to be able to put this together mostly by yourself but I don't want you to irritate your hands more than you most likely have with our lightsaber battle. How about you tell me what to do and hand me the pieces and I can be your hands. Maybe sometime soon, when your hands aren’t so sore and swollen, we can go and get another set and build it completely together; how does that sound?” You looked up at him from the small pieces in front of you with a small pout.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. I would love to be able to help but not being able to completely bend is making it difficult. Thank you for being patient with me.”

“You don't need to thank me for showing you basic human decency.”

“I do, because it is more than a lot of people have given me, and I want you to know that I am thankful for you.” He pulled you into his side and rested his chin on the crown of your head. You sat there with him for a couple of minutes just letting him lead whatever he was doing.

“You are our treasure, you deserve the world, and if I could give it to you I would.” He placed a kiss on your hair and pulled away from you. You smiled gratefully at him, choosing not to say anything; lest your voice cracks from the raw emotions crawling up your throat. When he let you go you slid over the small tray of pieces and started showing him what needed to happen. How he managed to snap the pieces together with such quick efficiency baffled you to no end. In the middle of putting everything together you stopped to watch the movie, it was toward the end and the battle had broken out in the castle.

Seonghwa turned to ask you for the next piece but when he did he noticed how enamored you were with the movie. You were leaning forward toward the screen with your forearms resting on your crossed legs. He could see your inner child peeking through the cracks of your heavy armor. She was so tucked away from everyone that no one had seen her except for when she was terrified. This was a side of you that was filled with wonder and love for life. Your eyes were shining so brightly that he could see the stars within them behind your thick framed glasses. You were so relaxed around him that you completely let your guard down, allowing him to see you without a filter; something he knew would be a rare occurrence even among your most trusted friends. He couldn't bring himself to look away from you, or break the fragile peace that had settled over you so he just sat and took you in.

He had never gotten the opportunity to just look over the ink covering your skin. His eyes trailed to the tattoo you kept hidden most of the time, one that he knew was difficult for you. Not just because of the placement but the meaning behind it. He could just barely see it peeking out from under your hair that was in a messy bun. He looked down toward your left arm with the waves, it was so beautiful, the contrast from dark to light stood out against your skin beautifully. The moon in the middle had been highlighted so well that if you looked at it for too long it appeared as if it was actually floating there amongst the waves. As his eyes made it farther down he noticed a tattoo that he hadn’t seen before. He leaned just barely closer to inspect the handwriting that was above your moon tarot tattoo.

Nothing could have prepared him for how hard his heart burst from seeing lyrics to one of their songs tattooed on you. He wanted to ask about it, why those specific lyrics? Whose handwriting was that? How old was the tattoo? Where did you get it? Just everything. He stopped himself though with the reminder of how each of your tattoos had a special meaning, other than the impulsive dragon tattoo. You must have gotten it after something happened, after someone left maybe. That was a set of questions he could ask at another time. He turned his focus back to the legos and started to put more together.

A while later after going back and forth between watching the movie and helping Seonghwa the castle was finished. The smile that adorned his face when you praised his lego making skills melted your heart. “Where do you want to put this?”

“We can bring it into the game room and display it there.” He nodded at you before getting up, he offered you a hand and just like the last time you offered him your arm. He gently pulled you up and before he released you he pecked your lips. You looked at him with a large smile before crouching to grab the tray with the legos on it. Before you could completely grab it it was up and off the floor. You glanced up at Seonghwa and he was grinning like an idiot at you before he started walking off toward the stairs. With a roll of your eyes you followed him. He made it to the game room without a hitch only pausing once as one of the giants ran in front of him to get into the gaming room before him.

With gentle hands and utmost care he transferred the tall Lego set into one of the open places in your cabinet. He took a step back and admired the shelf as a whole. You watched as his eyes caught on the large Millennium Falcon. Eventually, when he has enough room you would have to get him one. “What do you think? Is that a good place or would you like me to move it?”

“I think it is perfect,” He nodded his head at you. With quick movements he poked you and moved back out of the room.

“I’m thinking brownies and ice cream, what about you, dalnim (moon)?” He was already in the kitchen moving around trying to locate something.

“We can do that, but if we do you have to let me do it.” You made your way out to the kitchen and he was standing there with his arms crossed. “What?”

“Where is your brownie mix? Doesn’t it come in a box?” You let out a small snicker and he raised his eyebrows at you.

“Hwa, my sweet summer child. In my house we do not do box mixes of anything, I have a full recipe book for nights like tonight.” You waltzed past him and to the nook where you had hidden the huge binder. Heaving the heavy thing out of its spot near the dumbwaiter you grunted at the heft of it; sometimes you forgot how packed full it was. Really you should have separated things out but where is the fun in that. You walked back into the kitchen to see Seonghwa standing there with his arms crossed still.

“What's going on in that pretty head of yours?”

“Nothing, nothing, just thinking of how I should have let you win so you didn’t have to bake and worry about the pain.”

“Hwa, I have dealt with worse trust me, this is nothing.” His eyes turned somber. Shit wrong thing to say.

“Hwa, it’s okay. Really, it is in my past, I am thousands of miles away from him. Not to mention, I have cats which means he can’t get near me.” You made your way toward the man standing in your kitchen and gently grabbed his hand. He smiled at you sweetly before pulling you into a hug by your shoulders. The two of you stood there rocking slightly back and forth in a soothing motion.

“I hate that you had to go through that.”

“Me too. I wish it were different but if you think about it, if he wasn’t so horrible to me I wouldn’t be here across the world to get away from him. I would have never met you, and the rest of our boys, my team or made the connections I have today if he wasn’t a dick with a drinking problem.”

That’s true,” He rested his head against yours while you ran your hands up and down his back gently. You separated from him with a small smile and stepped around him to open the binder. You searched for your Granny’s double chocolate brownie recipe. There was a hand at your back and a solid presence at your side, you could feel him staring at your hands while you were turning the pages of the dessert section. You chose to ignore the feeling and continue. After flipping a few more pages you were met with her beloved recipe. It was a good thing you had it in a plastic protective sleeve because if you hadn’t there would have been brownie batter all over it from how often you used the recipe.

You slid the recipe book to be leaning against the lip of the island and started grabbing the necessary ingredients to start. Seonghwa tried to step in and help you but just like he did to you you shushed him out of the way giving him a disapproving click of your tongue. “You won, I’m doing dessert. Sit there and look pretty, supervisory personnel.”

He flopped into the island chair directly behind the recipe book with a huff and started watching you with his chin in his hand. You chuckled at him while you were tying your apron around yourself, you washed your hands before starting to measure things out and separate them into the dry and wet ingredients.

“Y’know, being able to do something like this has always been one of my dreams.”

“Like what exactly?”

“Being able to be domestically in love. Baking for someone I cherish and love so deeply. Having a day like this in general where I don’t have to worry about putting up a front that I am totally okay.”

“You will never have to pretend with me, or any of us. I know you have had a harsh few days, and I could never ask you to just be happy go lucky and not feel the hard emotions.”

“Thank you, that means a lot to me,” You moved away from him and toward the fridge. At a glance you couldn’t see what you were looking for, after thinking about it you remembered you had to hide it behind things so it wouldn’t get stolen by Willow. After digging around at the beck of the fridge you pulled out a bottle of strawberry wine. You grabbed two glasses from the cupboard and the automatic corkscrew before setting a glass down in front of Seonghwa. He was watching you with curiosity as you popped the corkscrew on the top of the bottle and pushed a button. The small machine whirred and you waited until you heard a small pop to take it off and remove the cork. As soon as you had it in your hands you moved toward the large wire wine bottle that held all of your wine corks. You plunked the cork into it before coming back over and pouring some wine in both of your glasses.

You offered Seonghwa your glass to make a toast. “What are we toasting to?”

“To us, and being our true selves with each other.”

“To us, and the other seven hooligans.” You giggled as he clinked his glass against yours. You took a sip of the wine and hummed in satisfaction, a similar noise came out of the man in front of you. Setting your glass to the side you continued making the brownies. When you were finished pouring the chocolaty goodness into one of your baking pans you dropped some chocolate chips on the top of it and set it in the oven to bake. When you turned around you caught Seonghwa with his phone out taking a picture of you with a small smile. Your phone pinged a minute later and then immediately kept going off after. With a shake of your head you moved over to grab your phone.

You felt the smile creep onto your face while looking at the responses to the photo Seonghwa sent of you; always so dramatic. Seonghwa snorted at their responses and turned off his phone. You moved from where you stood at the island over to the mixing bowl you used; you grabbed it and brought it around the island to Seonghwa. He was watching you curiously, you procured the small spatula you used to mix the batter and held it out to him. His eyes widened and a smile broke out across his face; he gently took it from you and tasted the batter. If his eyes could have gotten any bigger they would have. With a small chuckle you moved over and dropped the bowl into the sink to wash out later.

A few minutes later you and Seonghwa were sitting on the floor in front of the oven with your wine glasses next to you and the giants strewn across the kitchen floor. The two of you were just scrolling on your phones and glancing up every once in a while to see the progress of the brownies you were impatiently waiting for. You took another swig of your wine and hummed. The warmth surrounding you wasn’t just because of the alcohol or the oven you were sitting in front of, it was because of the man sitting next to you and the ones that had not stopped asking for updates on the brownies. This kind of warmth is something you hadn’t felt since you did the same thing with your Granny while you were younger and escaping from the everyday life of an abusive father.

Seonghwa leaned his head against your shoulder and you came out of the small transe you had fallen into. With slow movements you leaned your head against his and let out a small content sigh. “This kind of peace in my fast paced life needs to come to me more often.”

Seonghwa hummed his agreement and started lightly playing with your fingers. A couple seconds later he broke the comfortable silence “It’s odd seeing you without rings on.”

“It’s odd not wearing them, it makes me feel naked.” He let out a small chuckle while he gently ran his fingers over yours where the multitude of rings generally sat. You looked down at your hands, they looked so horrible compared to his soft and unmarred skin. Gently you took your hands away from his, not being able to stand the sight of something so dark compared to his light. His head snapped up to look at you and before you could say anything he intervened.

“Don't pull away from me my moon,” He gently grabbed your wrists so he could continue what he was doing. “I see you, I see you letting your mind run amok, you don’t need to worry about whatever it is you are thinking because it isn’t true.”

You stayed silent next to him, letting everything he was doing overrun your declining thoughts. He was being so gentle with you, like you were porcelain. The way his fingers lightly trailed up your arm and to the tattoos you had decorated your skin with. He was tracing the outlines of the waves across your forearm, seemingly memorizing what the tattooed and scarred skin felt like. His thumb was lightly going over a couple of the more raised scars you had on your arm. You glanced up at him and he wasn’t looking at you with pity like most others did when they beheld your scars. He was looking at you like he was taking in every brushstroke of a precious masterpiece. “These tell a story you know.”

You almost startled at his small words among the small humming of the appliances in the kitchen. “They tell a story of a warrior who despite everything thrown in her path withheld the storm of life. They show how strong you are, how you didn’t give up no matter how hard everything got.”

For the first time in your life you looked down to the scars and didn’t feel the shame of what you had done creeping up the back of your neck. You didn’t feel the twisting in your gut even just glancing at them among the waves and cameras. You looked at them and saw a piece of your story, a piece of what had made you who you are today. Your past was your past, and it made you who you are and who you will be.

★☆☽ O ☾☆★

About thirty minutes later the timer you had set on your phone went off. You and Seonghwa looked at each other before scrambling up to get the oven mitts. You were grinning as you pulled out the brownies and set them on the stovetop. Seonghwa was practically bouncing with joy beside you. “Love, why don’t you grab some strawberries and anything you want to decorate the brownies with.”

He was immediately moving through the kitchen toward the fridge. You watched him with a large grin as he started setting several things onto the island counter. He was snagging all of the things he could get his hands on, whipped cream, strawberries, caramel, chocolate syrup, vanilla ice cream, strawberry ice cream and even some more chocolate chips. While he was searching through everything you moved to grab a small spatula and the ice cream scoop. As soon as you had them you set them on the counter alongside his pile of goodies.

“We should be good to get into the brownies once they cool down just a bit,” His responding nod was close to frantic as he closely watched you poke a toothpick into the brownies from over your shoulder. He was just sitting there holding you against his chest as you checked multiple spots to see if the brownies were cooked thoroughly.

“I can’t wait to try these, they look and smell amazing.” As he quietly spoke you could feel his breath cascading over your ear. A small shiver went up your spine and you melted into him.

After just a couple more minutes of waiting you started to cut into the brownies. Seonghwa started looking around for plates and when he found the perfect ones he made a noise of triumph. With a quick glance you saw that he had pulled out two of your shallow pasta bowls. He brought them over and you gently placed a large brownie on top of it. His responding grin was immediate before he held out the other one. The two of you moved in harmony as you were plating things up, he ended up using everything he sat out and you had picked and chose a few things for yours. Before you had added the final piece to your culinary masterpiece you sprayed some of the whipped cream into your mouth.

A small camera shutter caught your attention and Seonghwa was grinning at you while you looked at him momentarily shocked. “What? You looked cute.”

You rolled your eyes at him and sprayed some of your whipped cream on the top of your brownie. As soon as you were finished you walked around the island and sat next to him just like you had been earlier. The two of you ate your sugar filled dessert in relative silence. When you finished your heaping plate you slid it away from you and leaned back patting your stomach. “I could over eat those brownies every time I make them.”

“After having them I see why, they came out so good.” He sat back and looked over toward you. Without even thinking you reached out and brushed a small bit of chocolate away from the corner of his mouth. His breath hitched and he froze at your gentle care. It took you a couple of tries to get the chocolate completely away from his mouth but when you did you smiled at him with a tilt of your head.

In an instant his mouth was on yours. The initial shock of the moment faded away and you melted into him. The kiss was sweet, claiming; and loving. All of the emotions he was harboring had been let out into the kiss, you could feel how he was holding himself back from you with the way his lips moved against yours. His hands were on your cheeks stroking his thumbs over your cheekbones. You could taste the caramel and chocolate on his lips as he kissed you. He was moving perfectly in sync with you as he took the lead. He stood up off his chair without breaking the kiss, your head was tilted back and his hands had moved just slightly to cup more of the back of your head and neck. It was dizzying how he held you.

You finally let yourself move from your frozen position with your hands in your lap. Your hands moved to his slim waist and you let your thumbs slide against the tiny sliver of skin that was exposed where his shirt rode up. He sighed against you and moved to stand closer to you, he had pressed himself to stand between your knees. His hands had moved with quick efficiency to tug the black scrunchie out of your hair. As soon as your hair fell his hands were threading through it, he gave a small tug at your roots and you let out a gasp. He took the opportunity to pull away from you and look you over. His hand was still in your hair and you were looking up at him with curious slightly widened eyes.

He tucked a strand of your hair behind your ear and cupped your face with his other hand. “I could do that forever.”

“Then what’s stopping you?” His eyes changed and he was moving quicker than your slightly foggy brain could process. He had stood you up and started leading you over to the couch in the great room. Without breaking eye contact he set himself down and tugged you with him. You landed softly with your knees on either side of his thighs.

“You are so beautiful,” His hand moved to settle itself on the back of your neck before he pulled you back into a burning kiss. Your hands found their way into his hair and you tugged lightly at the roots like he had done with you not even a minute ago. A small groan escaped him and he kissed you harder. His hands started roaming across your exposed skin; it was like fire igniting across your entire body. He lightly massaged your sides before letting his hands travel upwards. He let his hands roll over your chest and you shuttered at the heat that shot up your spine. Your responding gasp as he squeezed made you and him separate. His mouth trailed down the column of your neck he was trying to find the spot that would make you see stars. Not even a second later he attached his lips to the juncture of your jaw and neck right close to your pulse point. A shuttered gasp left you as he lightly let his teeth skim over the spot before reattaching to you and leaving his mark on your skin. He let his hand travel to the back of your neck to pull you closer to him. You expected him to kiss you again, but instead he brought your forehead to his and just sat there with closed eyes. His restraint was astounding as he sat there, his breath coming out in small ragged pants.

“My turn,” his eyes flew open to stare at you, you were wearing a small grin before you closed the gap between the two of you. He let you lead this time while he sank further into the couch cushions; his entire body was pliant under you as you kissed him. Your hands had moved from his hair to cup the sides of his neck, his hands fell to your hips and he gripped you like he was trying not to float away. You pressed your thumbs under his jaw to tilt his head up before detaching yourself from his lips. You looked down at him, His neck was exposed to you and begging for someone to mark it up, his pupils were blown wide and his parted lips were a pretty shade of pink and very kiss swollen.

“Pretty.” His throat bobbed and his pulse stuttered under your hands as you complimented him. “You like being called pretty?”

He was nodding the best he could with your hands situated against his neck with your thumbs just under his chin. “Use your words pretty boy, I want to hear your voice.”

“Yes, I love it.” You couldn’t hold back your responding grin.

“Good,” You moved toward him again placing a kiss on his adams apple before trailing toward the spot he had used on you. A small whimper came out of his throat as you left a lingering kiss right under his chin. You continued down the side of his neck and when you got to the juncture between his shoulder and neck you lightly nipped at the skin there; not enough to leave anything but a small red mark for the time being. His hands tightened on your waist while he lightly squirmed at the feeling of your lips on his neck. You separated yourself from him and he was just watching you with his bottom lip between his teeth, you could see the lingering look of almost frustration in his eyes. He wanted more, you could see it in the set of his jaw and feel it in the grip he had on your hips.

“How I wish I could mark up your pretty neck without getting in trouble.” You trailed your nails down the side of his neck lightly as you spoke, his head tilted to lean on the back of the couch.

“You would like that wouldn’t you, pretty boy? Me marking you up for the other boys to see.”

“Yes,” his voice was nearly a rasp as he responded to your question. He was so close to trembling that you wondered how much more teasing he would be able to take. You let your hands travel downwards toward his pecs before letting your nails rake back over the soft fabric of his tee. He jerked under you, and before you could do anything else he pulled you down to sit fully on his lap. You could feel every inch of him below you, without any warning he bucked his hips up to meet yours. The breath was knocked out of your lungs as you felt him where you hadn’t even realized you needed him most. His head rolled farther back as he arched himself into you. Before your brain could catch up with your body you moved against him. He let out a broken gasp and immediately opened his eyes to glance at you. “Please.”

Your hands made their way to settle at the base of his neck to make him look at you fully. He moved without any hesitance as you guided him to look you in the eye. “Please, what, pretty boy?”

“Please stop teasing.” Your grin was bordering wicked as you watched him just barely struggle to get some kind of friction against where he ached the most.

“You want me to take care of you? To take you apart piece by piece? To leave marks where only me and our boys get to see?”

“Please.”

“Well, since you asked so nicely, I think I can do that.”

★☆☽ O ☾☆★

The two of you laid on the couch in a comfortable silence. Seonghwa was caressing your bare back as you laid on top of him listening to his heartbeat. You startled against his warm chest when an alarm went off somewhere near the kitchen. Separating yourself from his warm embrace you made your way over to the kitchen on wobbly legs. When you reached your phone you shut off the alarm and turned toward Seonghwa who was sitting up and looking at you over the back of the couch. “What’s that for?”

“I set it for one of the surprises I mentioned earlier.” He got up off the couch and made his way over to you. You took a minute to look over him as he approached, you were proud of your handiwork. His chest and collarbones were covered in small darkening marks and there was one hidden right behind his ear that was easily covered by his hair. What you were most proud of however was the light red marks you knew were down his back, the ones he had reacted to the most.

When he got close enough he wrapped his arms around you. The heat of his bare skin seeped into you as he held you gently. You closed your eyes and let him control the hug he was giving you. “You are something else.”

“I hope that’s a compliment,” His responding chuckle reverberated against you.

“It is, so tell me yeobo (Darling) what’s this surprise you have an alarm set for?” He separated himself from you and settled his hands on your hips running small circles on your skin.

“You’ll have to wait and see pretty,” His ears and face almost immediately turned a light shade of red at the nickname. “Come on, let's get changed and then I can show you.”

You walked away from him and started making your way up the stairs. When you made it into your room you looked at your bare form in the mirror. You had darkening hickies all over your chest, a couple on either side of your throat, and one stray one right below the lyric tattoo. He had paid special attention to your inked handwriting as he worshipped you. With a small shake of your head, and the lingering thought you were dating a vampire, you stepped into the closet to grab a swimsuit. You found your third and final swimsuit stuffed toward the back of the drawer. Grabbing it you put it on and walked out of the closet to make your way down the stairs.

When you reached the last step you could hear Seonghwa’s muffled voice in the direction of the bathroom. You stepped closer and listened intently, he was speaking in hushed tones behind the closed door. “Wooyoung, you cannot and will not crash our date night. You can wait until you get the balls enough to ask her out on a proper date.”

You heard the younger man whining through the phone that was presumably on speaker. “I don’t care that you love brownies and want to have some, you will stay home and let me have this or so help me god I will call Jongho and have him make you stay home.”

You covered your mouth with your hand trying to suppress the giggle that was bubbling up your throat. Another round of whining sounded from behind the door, and even you had enough of it. You tapped your fingers on the door and opened it to see Seonghwa leaning against the sink staring at the phone. His gaze moved to yours as you stepped into the room, his jaw dropped slightly as you fully stepped into the bathroom. Before he could even move or utter another word you stepped toward him and grabbed the phone and turned it into a video call. Wooyoung immediately showed his face to the camera, still whining on the other end while looking elsewhere; he hadn’t even noticed you yet. Seonghwa stepped close to you and put his chin on your shoulder wondering what you were up to.

“Now Youngie, why can’t you ask me on a date? Are you worried that you might not be able to handle me by yourself?” You turned the camera to face the mirror so he could see the two of you. Wooyoung’s gaze immediately snapped down to the phone and Yeosang popped into the frame as well. Both of their mouths hung open while they took the sight of you and Seonghwa covered in hickies while in your swimsuits. The silver chains adorning your swimsuit stood out beautifully against your tattooed skin. Not to mention the sight of a dark hickey in the valley of your chest; which was perfectly silhouetted by the silver circles connecting the fabric of your top. Both of the boys on the phone were practically drooling.

“Yah, why are you two staring at the phone like that, are you watching something you shouldn’t be?” Yunho’s voice carried from across the room and the padding of feet against tile could be heard as he approached. As soon as he caught sight of what the other boys were gaping at he understood. The three of them were stunned into silence as they beheld the sight on Wooyoung’s phone. One by one the remaining boys had appeared and gaped, even Hongjoong stepped into the frame. You turned to look at Seonghwa who was wearing a small smirk at their reactions.

“Wanna mess with them?” You placed a kiss just under his jaw as you asked just loud enough for Seonghwa to catch. He gave you an almost imperceptible nod and you grinned like the joker.

“Go ahead and turn around, pretty boy.” You just barely caught the small flush adorning his face as he turned his back toward the mirror. Some of the boys on the screen gasped and others groaned. You finally got the opportunity to take in the damage you had done to his back. The red lines cascaded down the length of his back and a couple of them had disappeared under the waistline of his swimsuit. Some of them were more visible than others but you knew that they would be gone within a day, if not sooner.

“Now that you’ve had a peek at what you are missing by being too scared to ask me on a date I will be hanging up and spending more time with my star. Goodnight, we love you.” You blew a kiss to the mirror and hung up the call while the other boys protested.

“You’re an absolute menace.” Seonghwa turned around and wrapped his arm around your waist.

“And yet, you still love me.” He laughed and lightly bit your shoulder. You grinned at him before stepping away and out the door. He followed you through your house like a puppy. When you made it to the back door you left it open so the giants could wander out behind you. It had cooled down enough to be manageable but it was still warm enough to do what you wanted to. Leaving all of the lights off you made your way to the side of the pool where your giant floaty was.

After a couple of minutes you finally got the floaty to be completely aired up, you thanked past you for getting a small automatic pump so you didn’t have to do this by hand. As soon as you were ready you set the floaty into the pool and held it close with your hand. “Hwa, you get on first and I will follow.”

He nodded at you and carefully clambered onto the floaty. When you were sure that he was stable you let it go. You made your way over to your phone and connected to the plethora of speakers before turning on some quieter songs. The music echoed through the area and you were grinning as you set your phone down and took a running start to get into the water. Seonghwa let out a squeal as the water splashed over him. Just as you broke the surface of the water you saw what you were looking for. A faint streak of light had shot across the night sky. With quick efficiency you made your way over to the floaty and heaved yourself onto it.

Seonghwa looked at you with raised eyebrows and you pointed to the night sky. Just as he looked away from you another streak went across the sky. A small gasp left him and he immediately turned to look at you to make sure you saw it as well. You nodded at him, your eyes never leaving the night sky. “It’s a small meteor shower, one that not many people knew about. I thought it would be the perfect way to end our date night.”

Seonghwa tugged you closer to him on the floaty, “it’s perfect.”

The two of you watched as the night sky moved. You were pointing out several constellations and telling him what you knew about them. He was listening intently, watching you more than the sky you were pointing to. Every time you pointed out a new constellation he glanced at where you were pointing and then his gaze moved immediately back to you. Once in a while you would see a falling star and each time you felt Seonghwa squeeze your shoulder. “How do you know so much about the stars?”

Your heart warmed at the memory, “My Papa was an astronomer. Him, my Granny, and I used to stay up late just to see the stars when I was over at their house each weekend. He showed me all of the constellations and gave me many books about the stars which I still have today. All of the books in my bedroom are from him.”

“That’s amazing, I might have to peek at some of the books one of these days.”

“You are more than welcome to, he absolutely loved being able to share his knowledge.” You could still picture his face when you would ask him specific questions about some of the star maps he had in his office. The way he would light up was something you could never forget.

“He used to call me his moon just like my Granny did, in fact, if I remember correctly he was the one who started it and my Granny liked it so much that she was the one who consistently used it.” Seonghwa hummed in acknowledgment while you spoke. The two of you sat in silence while the world around you continued moving, the chirps of crickets and the rustling of some of the nocturnal animals was the only noise other than the running water of the pool.

What only felt like minutes later you caught your eyes drooping. Seonghwa had been running his hand over your arm as you laid there floating around the pool, the soothing motion nearly putting you to sleep. “Hwa, I’m getting tired.”

You felt him shift before he slipped off the floaty and started pushing it over to the side of the pool. He hopped out and before you could even move he was squatting as close to the edge of the pool as he could get and scooping you up and off the floaty. You let out a small noise of protest as he picked you up. “I can walk myself into the house.”

His grip just tightened around you as he walked up toward the house. You reluctantly wrapped your arms around him and rested against his chest. He somehow had gotten both doors open without jostling you too much. Then he made quick work of the stairs before setting you down on the counter in the bathroom. “Stay here, I’ll grab some clothes.”

He disappeared out the door and it took him a couple of minutes to reappear. When he did he was completely dressed and smiling at you softly. He was gentle as he helped you out of your swimsuit making sure to avoid knocking into your hands as he took it off your arms. After getting your swimsuit top off he put a large shirt over your head and helped you put your arms through. He gently helped you off the counter and continued on his mission, with quick movements your bottoms were off and he was sliding shorts up your legs. You were too delirious to even realize that you weren't wearing your own clothes. He led you to the bed and helped you get tucked in before disappearing again.

You were struggling to keep your eyes open while you waited for him. He returned about ten minutes later and cooed at you. “I thought you would have fallen asleep by now, love.”

“Can’t sleep without someone anymore.” His heart stuttered and his grin faltered at the raw honesty in your voice. He also may have loved your raspy sleepy voice.

“Well, we can't have you not sleeping, can we?” He slipped between the covers, took off your glasses, and turned off the lights with the remote above your head. You cuddled as close to him as you could and fell into dreamland almost immediately. He looked over you while tucking a strand of your hair behind your ear. The semicolon tattoo peeked out from under your hair and offered him a small reminder of how lucky he was to have you. He fell asleep cradling you as close as he could with a small smile on his face.

☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Next Chapter (Chapter 26)

Likes, comments, and reblogs are greatly appreciated!

Let me know if you want to be added to the taglist!

Thanks for reading! <3 Moonie

Taglist:

@breadedloafs @a-short-ass-disappointment @ateezswonderland @staytinyluv @cherryangel-coke @11glitch11 @neivivenaj @herpoetryprincess @starryjoong-jeongcheollie @sol3chu @diouysns @beccaskz @bands-r-my-heros @whatdoyouwanttocallmefor @vtyb23 @juicyjaxxy @latisthegenderfluidwannabealone @dinossaurz

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purple-goo-writes · 2 years ago

Text

Punk Hazard

Now to put this into a story.

Part 2 Here

It was a normal day in Central City. The Flashes were fighting the latest team-up between Killer Frost and Captain Cold. So of course it was snowing in July now and traffic was stalled due to ìce attacks making the roads impassable. But the heroes had the villains on the ropes. Then a fresh wave of ice and cold came out of nowhere, covering everything and everyone in frost. Dropping the temperature further as the crunching of boots on ice drew everyone's attention. Dressed in distressed black leather pants with frosted chains, a black crop top with a deep v-neck lined with blue, and plenty of ice chains to rattle as he walked was a teen near Impulse's age with pale blue skin, elfin features, and long black hair streaked with white and blue. Blue lips pulled into a deadly smirk as the air started to thrum with vibrations and the beat of crackling ice, "Time to drop the beat down."

Unfortunately for the heroes, they were not familiar with this villain's move set or powers. And it seemed they had made a mistake in assuming that his powers were similar to the other two ice villains. Only to be thrown for a loop when they missed a beat and started to freeze. And the music was only getting faster and with it came faster ice attacks.

Later, Barry groaned as his team worked to get him, Wally, and Bart out of their ice prisons. The three of them were shivering and turning blue from how cold their core temps had dropped. Looked like they would be hitting the showers on max heat once thawed out.

"What in the world was that?" Wally groaned once he was finally freed, while Barry rubbed his hands together to get feeling back, "I don't know but we better get investigating to figure out how to fight this new guy."

"Yeah, I don't fancy being a Flash-cicle just because I can't keep the beat," Wally grumbled, "Dick is going to make me play sooo much Just Dance once he hears about our new villain."

"You noticed it too?" Bart shivered, taking his mind away from the fact that the new villain was around his age and rather interesting to look at. Something he hadn't noticed before on others. he shook his head, no he needed to focus, "We had to follow the beat of the music or we started to freeze up. It was pretty easy to do until he started to ramp up the difficulty. Also...He has to follow the beat as well."

Barry groaned softly as he wrapped the blanket handed to him around his shoulders, "Wally is right, we are going to have to start ramping up our Just Dance scores...Hal is going to laugh himself sick."

All three groaned realizing their respective teams were going to be insufferable.

---

"You are pretty badass, kid," Killer Frost smirked once they got away from the heroes, "What even are your powers?" "A cross between music manipulation and Ice control," He shrugged, "I've been calling it Cryo Symphony." "Got a name?" Captain Cold grunted looking over the little punk, though little probably only applied to age given the kid was nearly his height and in that awkward stage between Twink and Tank.

"I was thinking Punk Frost-" "Yeah no, I got Frost already covered and I'm not looking for a side kick," Killer Frost hissed at him, making the kid raise his hands in surrender, "Okay, how about Punk Hazard? After all, I am a punk and my powers are hazardous to other's health if they can't keep the beat." "Sounds good kid, now you got a place to stay?" Snart asked, tone gruff but concerned. He never liked seeing kids turn to the villain life, didn't really like kiddie heroes but at least they had more support then kiddie villains did.

"Ummm not really?" Danny shrugged, "Probably the bridge I've been sleeping under."

Even Frost looked concerned at that, causing Snart to sigh, "Yeah no, I got a safe house you can crash at. Come on, you look like you haven't eaten in days." Danny blinked in confusion, "Huh?" Making Frost snicker, "Sorry, kid looks like you've been adopted."

#dc x dp #dc x dp prompt #dp x dc #dpxdc #dp x dc prompt #dp x dc au #young justice #space race #dad! leonard snart #dad! Captain Cold #punk hazard au

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self-indulgent-fanfics · 1 month ago

Text

a poem said by a lady in red

Bo Dallas x Reader, The Wyatt Sicks x platonic!Reader

A/N: Hello my love @nekosounds I’m so sorry this is flaming hot garbage, life has been rough for a moment but I didn’t want to keep you waiting any longer. This makes reference to reader having a twin sister that she’s fighting with, assume this fight is within kayfabe, no real family trauma here today y’all. Also this doesn't follow actual timelines so that non-American readers can enjoy WWE visiting their hometown. Title comes from the first song that came up on shuffle.

Request: May I please request a Bo Dallas/Uncle Howdy x reader were reader feels all alone on Smackdown, but has always had a crush on Bo. Little signs appear like roses or something, the other Wyatt's watch over her, and finally Howdy comes out and confesses?

You entered the world an hour after your sister, and from there, it always felt like you trailed behind. She was the one who first started watching WWF when you were kids, she was the one who signed you both up to a gym, she decided your ring names “Havoc” and “Chaos” right before you entered your first indies tag team match.

She held you while you cried as you both realised your dreams were coming true and you were wrestling in the WWE together.

So when she told you, in the middle of the ring on Friday Night Smackdown, that she didn’t need you anymore, that you were holding her chaos back, your soul was crushed. Then she hit you with her finisher and it completely tore you apart. You were left on the mat, tears streaming down your face while she marched up the ramp.

Life was pretty lonely after that. Chaos was making a name for herself, defeating half of the Smackdown Women’s roster in her quest. Meanwhile, you had lost all three of your solo matches. No one in the locker room even attempted to check in with you. Chaos herself ignored you entirely.

Any time you weren’t wrestling, you were wrapped in a hoodie with headphones blaring. Any time you were wrestling, you went through the motions, taking heavier and heavier bumps.

One night your lip was busted open from a stray elbow and you didn’t even have it in you to mop it up. The ref was the only person to make sure you were ok, but that was literally her job. Finally, your opponent pinned you and it was over. You rolled out of the ring and made your way to medical to get your face checked out. Once you were cleared, you returned to the locker room. Resting gently on your hoodie, folded on the bench, was a black rose and a note on beautiful cardstock.

You are not as alone as you think.

You looked around confused, wondering if whoever left the rose and the note left some other sign of their identity. Nothing. But smelling the rose made your heart skip a beat.

Your next three matches were more losses, but they led to more roses, white, pink, and orange, and more notes appeared with your things.

We see you.

We know you.

We will be your family.

And somehow that sounded pretty enticing.

You looked into what the colours of the roses meant, and for the first time since your sister broke your heart, you couldn’t stop smiling.

Smackdown came to your hometown, so naturally Chaos felt like calling you out. She claimed it was the perfect place to do it, right where it all began. You made your way to the ring with your head held high. As a signal to your… new friends (?), you wore the orange rose behind your ear.

Chaos mocked you as you walked toward her, teasing you about the rose, taunting you about your poor record, saying that all you were doing was proving her point. You were the weak link all along. Ignoring the tingle in your nose that signalled tears, you clapped back, telling her how you should have known she would turn on you, it was so predictable. She used you to get where she wanted to be and then kicked you to the curb.

As she sensed the crowd turning on her, your sister stole the rose from behind your ear and stomped on it, grinding the petals into the mat. You lashed out, trying to slap her but she grabbed your wrist then kicked you in the gut. You doubled over on your knees, coughing hard. Your sister laughed over your body, then lifted the mic to her mouth.

Then the lights went out. When they came up again, you saw her. Abby the Witch. A member of the Wyatt Sicks. She stood between you and your sister, who scrambled out of the ring.

Abby turned and reached out a hand, lifting your chin. She placed a red rose behind your ear and leaned down, whispering only to you.

“Join us. Join him.” She turned to walk away and you tried to grab her. How did she know? Only two people knew about your crush on Bo Dallas. You and… your sister. Oh, that bitch and her mouth.

Your feud with your sister escalated from there, sniping each other on social media, taunting each other in promos, culminating in a best of three tournament between you two to determine who would contend for a belt (and you supposed, for bragging rights).

The first match, she won. The second, you won. And after your win, you were visited again. The lights went out in the arena. Chaos abandoned you in the ring, running through the crowd.

This time, the entire family was there. Clearly Abby was their “spokesperson” when it came to you. She approached first, reaching out a filthy hand. You stepped closer, ignoring Wade and Joe begging you not to. You held her hand tight as she led you up the ramp to the intimidating head of the family. Bo stood tall and you couldn’t help the shiver up your spine.

He gave you a gentle kiss on your free hand and you felt a little overwhelmed with all the eyes on this strangely intimate moment.

You pulled back and ran back down the ramp, following your sister in escaping.

Finally the deciding match between Havoc and Chaos arrived. You were on later in the night, so you made sure you were fully warmed up and limber. Then you sat with your eyes closed and your headphones on, readying yourself for war.

The match was hard fought, both of your bodies battered and ruined, the bumps getting harder and harder to take. But you won. You did it. You proved that Havoc no longer needed Chaos. You were just fine on your own.

But you weren’t on your own, not anymore. The lights went out once more as you stood victorious over your sister’s broken body.

A lantern called to you from the dark. You moved like a moth to the flame. Bo held the lantern high, using his free hand to caress your cheek gently.

“I’m proud of you my angel.”

You smiled wide and kissed him firmly on the cheek. He wrapped an arm around your shoulder and led you away. You had found your new family.

#wwe imagine #wwe x reader #bo dallas x reader #the wyatt sicks x reader

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crowsofdarkness · 4 months ago

Text

Dorogaya: Chapter Eight

-gif not mine. credit to owner-

Pairings: Bucky Barnes x Female Agent! Reader.

Content Warnings: language, 18 + implied smut, angst, fluff, kidnapping, violence.

Summary: It has been a few years since Bucky and Reader went into hiding. Just when they thought they were slowly building a life together, the past comes back with a vengeance.

Authors Note: This is the sequel to Soldat! You should read that series first. This takes place during Civil War. Tags are open if anyone is interested!

Tags: @globetrotter28 @sakuracyberhex @chinggay85-blog @bookofriverr @misatxox @that-blonde-girl @cats-chaotic-mind @wintrsoldrluvr @sebastians-love @pumpkin-babydoll @ordelixx @starfly-nicole @j23r23 @baw1066

Soldat Masterlist | Dorogaya Masterlist

The jet landed a few moments ago and I stood next to Bucky as he carefully chose a gun from Natasha’s collection. His shoulders tensed, the looming fight approaching, and I laid my hand on his lower back.

“Are you alright?” I questioned.

He nodded. “Yeah.”

I knew he was lying but also knew not to press him in these kinds of situations. My feet turned to walk away but his fingers slipped a knife in the pocket of my suit.

“Ready?” Steve asked once the ramp opened, the cold Sokovian air chilling us to the bone.

I nodded then followed behind the two super soldiers; Bucky’s gun held high and Steve blocked us with the shield. The snow crunched beneath our boots as we came to a stop in front of the door of the old building; it was already opened.

“He couldn’t have been here more than a few hours,” Steve noted.

“Just enough time to wake them up,” Bucky said.

He motioned for me to step between the two of them as we entered the building. There was a cold chill throughout the building; nothing to do with the coldness outside. We entered the small elevator, and I squeezed between the two of them. Bucky was at my back while Steve stood in front. The warmth of Bucky’s breath caused my skin to prickle and Steve watched with slight jealousy as Bucky placed a chaste kiss on my ear.

I smiled brightly at his silent cue and when my eyes met with Steve, his jaw set hard. He gave us a curt nod, making sure that we had our heads in the game. Bucky and I both nodded, letting him know that we were ready for what was about to happen.

The elevator doors opened, Steve stepping off first, and we looked around the deserted building. Everything was coming back to me in flashes, the familiar halls and corridors. Knowing what that door led to or what was down that hall.

“Doll?” Bucky looked over his shoulder to me as he led us towards a staircase.

“I’m okay,” I reassured him with a nod.

A loud bang from behind caused us all to jump, Bucky pulling me closer to him with his gun held high. Steve kneeled in front of me with his shield as we prepared for the reason behind the bang.

“Fucking christ Tony, you scared the shit out of us,” I cursed towards the man in the iron suit.

Steve stepped forward, them having their own conversation while I stayed in front of Bucky, who still had his gun raised towards Tony. After our fight at the airport, Bucky wasn’t taking any chances.

“There’s a truce here, you can drop it,” Tony told Bucky.

I gently pushed the gun down and Bucky sighed, leaning against the wall. He motioned behind him, muttering that we need to keep moving.

The four of us walked past an all too familiar room and I had to pause, remembering the horrors.

The training room where Bucky had trained me.

“C’mon,” Bucky gently gripped my elbow to pull me along. “It’s not good to remember.”

However, as soon as we entered the main part of the building, it was Bucky’s turn to freeze for a moment. We came face to face with the chair that Bucky had a permanent residence in all those years ago.

“I’ve got heat signatures,” Tony commented.

“How many?” Steve asked.

“Uh, one.”

They didn’t notice the look of horror on Bucky’s face so with a gentle tug on his elbow, like the one he gave me, I pulled him along. He hesitated for a second before nodding. The gun was raised as we walked up to the cryo chambers.

“What the hell?” He muttered.

I could feel his own heart beat through my own chest, the cryo chambers scaring him.

The six cryo chambers had bullet holes in them; right in the middle of the super soldiers' foreheads.

“If it’s any comfort,” a voice came over the speaker. “They all died in their sleep.”

Pulling the knife out of my suit, I flipped it a few times, getting ready for whatever was coming.

“Do you really think I wanted more of you two hydra soldiers?” The voice said again, now knowing it was the doctor. Only who wasn't a doctor. He was portraying a doctor in order to get close to Bucky.

Helmut Zemo.

“I am grateful for them, though. They brought you here.”

Steve stood face to face with Zemo, who was hiding behind a chamber that could withstand a nuclear blast.

“You killed innocent people in Vienna to bring us here. Why?” Steve asked.

I could feel the regret fill Bucky’s bones so I squeezed his biceps, letting him know that it’s alright. As Steve and Zemo talked, my attention turned to them with their last sentence.

“I have lost everyone. Now, so will you,” Zemo clicked on a T.V next to Steve.

Even though the letters on the screen were foreign, I immediately recognized the date.

December 16th, 1991.

The feeling of regret and self hatred filled my veins and looking over to Bucky, his eyes dropped, refusing to meet my gaze. He walked away from us as Steve, Tony, and I started to watch the video.

It was from a security camera panning to a dirt road.

“I know that road,” Tony stuttered. “What is this?”

He demanded his question towards Zemo, who remained silent.

I watched side by side with Tony, both in horror when a car came out of nowhere and slammed into a tree. A man on a motorcycle came up, stepping off with large strides towards the car. My breath caught in my throat when I immediately recognized the metal arm on screen as it broke the necks of the two people in the car.

Those two people were Mr. and Mrs. Stark; Tony’s parents.

The Winter Soldier had killed Tony’s parents.

Bucky’s jaw tensed when we finally met each other's gaze so I left Tony’s side, walking over to him. I placed a hand on his cheek, the feeling of self hatred becoming almost too much to bear. No matter if he wasn’t that man anymore, it still pained him to know that he did it.

“I don’t hate you,” I murmured, answering the silent plea in his eyes.

He pulled away from my touch, not allowing himself to feel anything other than the loathe he was forcing himself to feel. Tony’s dark eyes sliced into Bucky, lifting his hand ready to shoot. As Bucky raised his gun to protect himself, I stood in front of him, ready to protect Bucky with my life; hands sparking to life with fire.

Steve held Tony to stop him. “No, Tony.”

He looked over to Steve. “You knew?”

Steve could only nod.

My stomach dropped at that revelation.

“You knew and didn’t tell me?” I asked, dumbfounded. “You kept this from us?”

“I didn’t know it was him,” Steve started.

I shook my head. “Bullshit. You fucking knew!”

Tony remained silent, trying to process everything. Before I knew exactly what was happening, Tony had hit Steve, tossing him across the floor.

This was the one fight that none of us wanted to have.

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes x reader #sebastian stan #bucky barnes and reader #the winter soldier #marvel #the winter soldier x reader #the winter soldier smut #bucky barnes x agent!reader #james barnes smut #james barnes imagine #james bucky barnes #james barnes #james buchanan barnes #soldat bucky barnes #dorogaya bucky barnes

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whosscruffylooking · 6 months ago

Text

The Purest Things- Envy (Mayhem) Part 2

Aaron Hotchner x Fem! Reader Word Count: 4k Warnings: Mentions of blood, injuries, and weapons. References to bombs. Mention of death and the description of one of the unsubs k!lling himself at the end. The Purest Things Masterlist

au! may 2008

Bookend: "We win together as a team, and we lose together as a team." - Kenny Smith

“Penelope, what do you see? Are they hurt?” you plead, the panic rising in your chest.

“Hotch seems to be okay, but Kate hasn’t moved. He’s not moving her either,” Penelope responds, her voice shaky. “Okay,” you answer, trying to steady your own breath. “Check on the others. I’m going to Hotch and Kate.”

“Please be careful,” she begs, the worry clear in her voice.

As you pull up to the bomb site, the scene is chaotic. The road is blocked off with first responders, their presence thick and tense. You slam the car into park and rush out, already knowing what’s coming. An officer steps in front of you, prepared to stop anyone trying to get through.

“You can’t come through, ma’am. None of us can. Orders,” he says sternly.

You shake your head, irritation boiling over. “I’m with the FBI. We created those orders. Let me through.”

He doesn’t budge. Instead, he holds you back, unyielding.

“My boss is in there!” you snap, voice rising in urgency.

He pushes you back, and then you hear it—the sound you were dreading. Hotch’s strained voice, distorted like it’s coming through a haze, “Officer down! Please! We need help down here!”

Your heart sinks, and everything inside you screams to break past the barricade, but you’re still stuck.

“Let me through, damn it!” you yell, hands shaking with frustration.

“We’re here! Please!” Aaron cries out again.

Your heart feels like it’s tearing in two at the sound of his pain. You fight to keep your tears at bay.

Just then, Morgan pulls up. He’s already furious, storming toward the barricade. The officers try to stop him, but Morgan’s presence is far more intimidating than yours, and they turn their focus to holding him back.

You lock eyes with him, giving a subtle signal. It’s risky, but you need to take the chance. Morgan ramps up the theatrics, getting louder, and playing his part perfectly.

You don’t hesitate. The moment they look away, you slip through the gap, moving fast, heading straight for Hotch. You can hear the commotion behind you, but all that matters is getting to him.

“Aaron!” you scream, your voice breaking through the chaos.

His eyes find you, and a wave of relief washes over him.

You rush to his side, immediately checking him over. He seems okay, just some cuts and bruises, but you can tell he’s shaken. You glance at Kate, who’s bleeding heavily, and then at the man standing next to Hotch. Something about him feels off, but your focus stays on Hotch and Kate for now.

“I’ve got it pinched off, but I can’t move her without losing my grip,” he says, his voice trembling.

You place a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “We’re going to help her, just hold on.” Turning toward the barricade, you call, “Derek! We need you!”

It takes a moment, but Derek eventually breaks through the crowd of officers and runs to your side. Together, you all work to stabilize Kate. But you can’t shake the feeling that something’s wrong with the man standing off to the side, looking too calm, too collected.

“You need to leave,” you say to him, your voice firm. “We can’t help her until you’re out of the way.”

Derek’s phone rings, and you signal for him to answer it. His face immediately falls, and you follow his gaze, your heart sinking as you look at the man again.

“Hotch,” you murmur, your voice barely above a whisper. “It’s him.”

Hotch, still trying to keep his composure, turns to the man. “Go, Morgan. Y/N, stay with me.”

Finally, you think to yourself. You’re not going anywhere.

A paramedic comes running through the chaos, rushing to Kate’s side. He immediately begins assessing her injuries, his face grim as he kneels beside her, gently pulling her into a more stable position.

“She’s losing a lot of blood,” the paramedic mutters, working quickly to apply pressure to the wound. “We need to get her out of here now.”

You step forward, keeping your eyes on Hotch. “I’ll take my car and clear a path for you to the hospital,” you offer, your voice unwavering despite the alarm building in your chest.

The paramedic looks up, nodding sharply. “Good idea. We need to move fast. Go ahead.”

You nod in return, already moving toward your car. “I’ll be right ahead of you,” you call out, glancing back at Hotch one more time.

With determination setting in, you climb into your car and start the engine. You weave your way through the barricades, ready to clear the road and get Kate the help she desperately needs.

•:•.•:•.•:•:•:•:•:•:•:••:•.•:•.•:•:•:•:•:•:•:••:•.•:•.

The hospital doors burst open as you and Hotch rush into the ER, trailing closely behind the gurney carrying Kate. The medics shout vitals and updates to the doctors, their words blending into a blur. You follow closely, your eyes locked on Kate’s pale, bloodied face.

“She’s stabilizing,” one of the doctors says as they wheel her through the double doors toward the OR. You exhale deeply, relief washing over you, though your body still hums with tension.

Turning to Hotch, you expect to find him focused and composed, but instead, his face is ashen, his steps unsteady. His hand suddenly grips your arm.

“Aaron?” you say, alarmed, as he sways.

Before he can answer, his knees buckle, and he collapses to the ground.

“Hotch! Someone help!” you shout, panic threading your voice.

A nurse rushes over, quickly assessing the situation. “We need a gurney here!” she calls to a nearby orderly. Within moments, they ease him out of your arms and onto the gurney.

“I’m fine,” Hotch mutters weakly, though his pallor and shallow breathing suggest otherwise.

“You’re not fine,” you counter, your heart pounding as they wheel him toward an ER room. “Aaron, just let them help you.”

He doesn’t argue, his head lolling back slightly as his eyelids flutter. The sight unnerves you, but you force yourself to stay calm, following closely as they take him into the room.

The nurses hook him up to monitors, checking his vitals and administering fluids. “Looks like exhaustion and stress-induced shock,” one nurse says, glancing at you. “He needs to rest.”

You nod, your worry settling into a sharp ache in your chest. “He doesn’t stop, not even for a second,” you mumble, mostly to yourself.

Hotch’s eyes flutter open, and he looks at you, his voice faint. “Kate… the team…”

“Shh,” you interrupt gently, stepping closer to him. “Kate’s in surgery. The team’s fine. Right now, you need to focus on you.”

He gives a slight nod, his hand brushing against yours on the edge of the bed. “I’m sorry,” he whispers.

“For what?” you ask softly, leaning in so he doesn’t have to strain his voice.

“For scaring you,” he replies, his gaze flickering with guilt.

You squeeze his hand lightly. "I'll get you back one of these days.”

The tension in his features eases slightly, his breathing slowing as the monitors show his vitals stabilizing. You stay by his side, unwilling to leave, your own relief tempered by the knowledge that the night is far from over.

You sit in the waiting area, your eyes darting toward the entrance every few minutes, hoping Derek will arrive soon. The hum of the hospital feels louder than usual, amplifying your nerves. You’ve just managed to settle into a moment of calm when raised voices echo down the hallway.

“No, I’m fine. I don’t need to be here,” you hear Hotch’s unmistakable tone, clipped and insistent. Your stomach drops.

You jump to your feet and hurry toward the noise. As you approach his room, the nurse’s frustrated voice cuts through.

“Sir, you need to stay in bed! You’re still being monitored—”

“I don’t need monitoring,” Hotch snaps. “Where are my clothes?”

Rushing in, you find Hotch halfway off the bed, his hospital gown untied and his hands fumbling with the IV line attached to his arm. His face is pale but determined, his jaw clenched as he tries to pull the monitors off his chest.

“Hotch, what are you doing?” you exclaim, moving quickly to his side.

“I’m fine,” he says without looking at you, his voice low and stubborn. “The team needs—”

“No, they don’t need you like this,” you interrupt, your tone firm but calm. “Aaron, you’re going to make this worse.”

The nurse stands frozen, clearly exasperated. “He’s refusing to cooperate,” she says, looking between you and Hotch.

Before you can respond, Derek strides into the room. “Hotch, man, you need to chill,” he says, his hands raised in a calming gesture.

“I don’t have time for this,” Hotch bites back, still tugging at the IV line. “I’m fine, Morgan. I’m fine.”

Derek steps closer, but Hotch’s eyes flash with irritation, his composure fraying. “Don’t,” he warns, his tone sharp.

You take a step forward, gently placing your hand on Hotch’s arm. “Aaron,” you say softly but with authority, “look at me.”

His movements still for a moment, and his eyes reluctantly meet yours. There’s a storm of frustration and exhaustion behind them, but you don’t waver.

“I know you feel like you have to keep going,” you say, your voice steady. “I know you think you’re fine, but you’re not. Your body is telling you to stop, and you need to listen. For Kate, for the team, for me.”

His gaze softens slightly at your last words, the tension in his shoulders easing just enough for you to continue.

“Please,” you add, your tone almost a whisper now. “Sit down. Let them do their job. You’re no good to anyone if you collapse again.”

For a moment, you think he’s going to argue, but then he lets out a long breath and sits back on the bed, his hands falling to his sides. His eyes close briefly, the fight draining from him.

You glance at Derek, who gives you a small nod of approval, before turning to the nurse. “Can you give us a minute?”

She hesitates, then nods and steps out of the room.

Hotch looks up at you, his voice quieter now. “I just… I can’t stand waiting. I need to be doing something.”

“I know,” you say, sitting beside him on the bed. “But right now, waiting is the best thing you can do. Trust me, okay?”

He exhales again, his hand brushing against yours briefly. “Okay,” he finally agrees, his tone resigned.

Derek leans against the doorframe, smirking slightly. “Guess I’ll leave this to you next time, huh?”

You shake your head, your focus still on Hotch. “There won’t be a next time.”

Hotch gives you a faint smile, and you know he’s far from fully convinced, but at least for now, he’s staying put.

•:•.•:•.•:•:•:•:•:•:•:••:•.•:•.•:•:•:•:•:•:•:••:•.•:•.

A short while later, the doctor gives the all-clear for Hotch to be released. You wait outside his room with a fresh set of clothes, ones you managed to grab from a nearby bag the team had on hand. When he steps out, he looks exhausted but determined, his expression already refocused on the case.

“Here,” you say, handing him the clothes. “Let me help.”

He hesitates for a moment, clearly uncomfortable with the assistance, but he nods and lets you adjust the FBI vest over his shirt once he’s dressed. You tighten the straps securely, your hands brushing against his shoulders before stepping back.

“Thanks,” he says quietly, glancing down at you, his voice softer than you’ve heard it all night.

You meet his gaze, knowing now is the moment to say what’s been weighing on you. “Hotch,” you start, “the profile. Something about it isn’t right. It’s been bothering me ever since we presented it earlier.”

He frowns, his attention sharpening. “What do you mean?”

“When I first laid it out,” you explain, “I said it was a test, but also a diversion—something meant to distract us while the unsubs worked toward their ultimate goal. We got too focused on the idea of it being a test run for something bigger. I think we’re missing the real target.”

Hotch exhales, his jaw tightening as he processes your words. Then, unexpectedly, he looks back at you with something resembling regret. “I should have listened to you sooner,” he says, his voice low but sincere. “You were right from the beginning, and I dismissed it.”

His apology catches you off guard, but you don’t let it show. “It’s not too late to make it right,” you reply. “But we need to shift our focus before it’s too late.”

He nods, already slipping back into his leadership role. “Let’s regroup with the team. We’ll start from scratch if we have to.”

“Are you okay?” Emily asks as you both enter the room.

“Yeah. I just want to understand why I’m still alive,” Aaron responds, his voice low.

“I was asking her,” Emily corrects, motioning toward you. “She’s the one who had to deal with you.”

Aaron looks at you, his expression flickering with insecurity—or maybe regret. He glances down, avoiding your eyes.

You offer him a soft smile, brushing your hand lightly against his arm. “He was a good patient,” you reply with a touch of humor.

Aaron inclines his head slightly. “Y/N has a lead. Her original profile suggested the unsubs might be using these attacks as a diversion or working toward a larger goal,” he says, stepping aside to give you the floor.

Taking a breath, you step forward, the weight of everyone’s attention on you. “We know terror cells evolve and adapt, learning from one campaign to the next. What if this isn’t about the individual attacks? What if it’s about what comes next? They’ve been deliberately targeting isolated locations, ensuring minimal civilian casualties. It’s not random—it’s calculated. Each move is designed to refine their process. They’re testing, learning, and perfecting their methods. This isn’t just a series of practice runs; it’s a setup for something much bigger.”

You catch Hotch flinching slightly, his hand rising to rub at his ear. He meets your gaze and gives a subtle shake of his head, silently asking you not to mention it.

“Hotch,” Spencer calls out, pointing to the computer screen. It’s playing security footage of the car bomb explosion, showing Hotch and Kate being thrown through the air. Hotch freezes, watching it play out, his jaw tightening. You glance away, unable to watch the moment replayed, the knot in your stomach twisting tighter.

Hotch finally speaks, “Same, the kid who stayed by Kate and me, did anyone locate his phone? Did he call 911?”

“It was a disposable phone,” Spencer answers. “He never called 911, only the same number six times every few minutes. Garcia tracked the number, but it went dead right after Sam died. Whoever had it destroyed it.”

Hotch’s brows knit together in thought. “If he didn’t have a secondary device to detonate, there’s only one reason he stayed with us.” He turns to you, his eyes searching yours. “What was it?”

“To make sure the ambulance got to you,” you say, the pieces clicking into place. “And in a city on lockdown, an ambulance with its siren blaring and lights flashing can get through every roadblock virtually uncontested.”

Hotch steps closer to you, his voice dropping slightly. “And straight into a hospital with a bypass order on it.”

“What does that mean?” Morgan asks, trying to piece it together.

“Secret Service has a bypass order for this hospital,” you explain, your tone grim. “It’s closed.”

“Secret Service?” Morgan echoes, confusion flickering in his eyes. “Who are they protecting?”

“We need to find out,” you answer, frustration mounting. “So Sam was calling the man in the ambulance the whole time.”

Hotch’s expression hardens as realization dawns. “The ambulance I was brought in. This hospital is their target.”

He pauses for a beat, then looks directly at you. “Y/L/N, I need you with me.”

The words settle over you, and despite the pressure of the moment, a spark of relief and pride ignites in your chest. Finally, he’s not shutting you out. You nod, ready to follow him. “I’m with you.”

•:•.•:•.•:•:•:•:•:•:•:••:•.•:•.•:•:•:•:•:•:•:••:•.•:•.

The hospital halls are a frenzy of activity, but you and Hotch cut through it with singular focus, questions sharp and urgent as you flash your badges at every nurse, doctor, and hospital staff you come across. The paramedic in the ambulance—it all comes back to him. No one can recall his name, and the details are too vague to pull from memory, but you piece together his last known location: the parking garage downstairs.

“He never left the hospital,” you say, adrenaline spiking.

Hotch nods, already moving toward the elevator with you right behind him. “If he has the detonator, he won’t leave willingly.”

The two of you reach the garage, your breaths echoing in the eerie quiet. The space is dimly lit, with shadowy corners creating a sense of unease. Then you spot him—sitting on the edge of a low concrete wall, the dim glow of the garage lights catching the blade of the knife in his hand.

The man looks up, his face pale but eerily calm. He isn’t scared; he’s resolved.

“FBI,” Hotch announces, stepping forward with his hands raised in a show of nonaggression. You follow his lead, your eyes locked on the man’s every movement. “Put the knife down. We just want to talk.”

The paramedic shakes his head, his other hand clutching a small device—the detonator. “It’s too late for that. You don’t understand what we’re doing here.”

You take a step forward, voice steady but firm. “Then help us understand. Tell us what you’re trying to prove. Killing yourself won’t make your message clearer.”

He lets out a bitter laugh. “You think I’m afraid to die? You think I’m afraid of you?” His grip tightens on the detonator. “That ambulance—your agent is driving it right now. One press, and—”

“Stop!” you cut in, heart pounding. “You don’t have to do this. It’s over. You’ve already made your point.”

Hotch inches closer, his tone commanding but calm. “Look at me. You don’t need to die here. Tell me why. Tell me who sent you.”

The man glances between you and Hotch, his resolve flickering. For a moment, it seems like he might relent, but then he shakes his head again, muttering something under his breath.

“I can’t,” he whispers, more to himself than to either of you. He raises the knife, his hand trembling but resolute, as though preparing to strike himself. For a fleeting second, you think— surely he wouldn't.

"Look away!" Aaron shouts, his voice sharp and commanding. Instinctively, you obey, turning your head.

A metallic clatter rings out, followed by a sickening thud. When you look back, the knife lies on the ground, blood pooling around the man's lifeless body. His eyes are vacant, his chest still.

You freeze for a moment, your mind racing to catch up with what just happened. Hotch moves swiftly, stepping over the body to grab the phone clenched in the man's hand.

His fingers close around it, but before either of you can react further-

A sudden, deafening explosion erupts in the distance. The blast reverberates through the parking garage, shaking the veryground beneath your feet.

"Derek," you whisper, fear clawing at your chest.

Hotch doesn't let go of the phone, his expression hard as he pulls his comms to his mouth.

"Morgan, report! Do you copy?"

The static seems endless, each second stretching unbearably as you and Hotch remain frozen in the garage. The weight of the explosion lingers in the air, the silence amplifying every doubt in your mind. Then, finally—

“Hotch? Y/N?” Derek’s voice crackles through the comms.

You exhale sharply, a rush of relief making your knees weak. “Morgan!”

“I’m good. Ambulance is toast, but I got it clear of the city just in time. Shook me up a bit, but I’m in one piece.”

Hotch presses his comms button. “You’re sure? No injuries?”

“No injuries, man. I’m solid. What’s the status on your end?”

Hotch glances at you briefly, then replies, “Situation contained. I’ll fill you in later. Good work, Morgan.”

As Derek’s voice fades from the comms, you release a breath you hadn’t realized you were holding. Your eyes shift back to the paramedic slumped on the ground, the crimson stain spreading beneath him. The stark finality of it hits you, and your stomach churns.

Hotch steps closer, his hand brushing your shoulder. His presence is grounding, his warmth pulling you out of the chaotic swirl of emotions.

“It’s over now,” his voice is steady.

You shake your head, your gaze locked on the lifeless figure. “He stayed behind to make sure the bomb went off. He really believed in what he was doing.”

Hotch’s hand moves to your back, his voice low and steady. “We stopped it. That’s what matters.”

You nod, swallowing hard before pulling yourself together. Your hand brushes against his arm as you steady yourself. “Kate,” you say suddenly, looking up at him. “You need to check on Kate.”

He hesitates, his gaze lingering on you for a moment. “And you?”

“I’ll be fine,” you insist, the determination in your voice not quite masking the lingering tremor. “She’s been through enough already. Go.”

Hotch gives a short nod, squeezing your shoulder one last time before stepping away. As he moves toward the stairs, you turn back to the paramedic one last time, the reality of the night settling over you like a heavy fog.

The team gathers in the hospital lobby, their exhaustion etched into their faces. Derek slings his go-bag over his shoulder and glances at you. “You coming?”

You shake your head. “No, I’ll stay. Hotch shouldn’t be driving himself. He’s been through too much tonight.”

Rossi gives you a knowing look, nodding slightly. “Take care of him.”

Emily squeezes your arm briefly, offering a small smile, and Spencer gives a quiet, “Call if you need us.” They head out together, leaving you alone with the low hum of the hospital and the weight of waiting.

Minutes stretch into what feels like hours until the elevator doors finally slide open. Hotch steps out, and your stomach tightens. He looks pale, his face drained of color, his eyes dull and distant.

You approach him, searching his face for something to hold on to. “Hotch… how’s Kate?”

He stops in front of you, his posture stiff, his jaw tight. His eyes flick to yours, then away, as if looking at you directly is too much. “You didn’t have to wait,” he says, his voice low and almost resigned.

Your throat tightens, but you steady yourself. “I couldn’t forgive myself if I didn’t.”

He finally meets your gaze, and for a moment, you think you see something break behind his guarded expression. “She didn’t make it,” he says softly. The words seem to drain the last bit of energy from him.

Your heart sinks, the air catching in your lungs. You reach out instinctively, your hand hovering near his arm, but you hesitate. The uncertainty between you lingers, a barrier you’re not sure how to cross.

“I’m… I’m so sorry,” you say, your voice barely above a whisper.

He nods slightly, but it’s a hollow gesture. His eyes seem focused on some distant point, lost in the enormity of the night.

“Hotch,” you say hesitantly, trying to find the right words. “Let me drive you back to the hotel. You shouldn’t be alone right now.”

For a moment, he seems ready to argue, his jaw tightening, but then he exhales, the fight leaving him. “Okay,” he murmurs, his voice barely audible.

You guide him toward the parking lot, keeping close but not too close. The silence between you is heavy, but for now, you stay by his side, knowing that even if words fail, your presence might be enough.

#criminal minds #aaron hotchner #aaron hotchner imagine #aaron hotchner x reader #aaron hotchner x y/n #aaron hotchner x you #criminal minds imagine #hotch x y/n #criminal minds fanfiction #aaron hotchner angst #aaron hotchner x fem!reader #hotch x you

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lilyflowerstories · 6 months ago

Text

A Veil Of White

Pairings: Sirius x Remus, Sirius x Reader, Wolfstar x Reader

| Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Warnings for the series: light violence, angst, light smut

Word Count: 3.6k

Synopsis: 15 years ago you fell through the veil. A little less than 15 years later, Sirius followed. He expected death. No one returned from the veil so that was the only logical conclusion. What he didn't expect was to meet you again.

This story was inspired by @ellecdc and her anon who had this absolutely stellar headcanon that you should read right here. I kind of ignored like half the idea in regards to pairing but it's a fresh spin, that's what we do around here babes.

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Remus thought it could never happen again. But magic was a strange thing. His memories seemed to flash by him in slow motion, starting with the day he graduated Hogwarts.

You weren’t posing for pictures with everyone else and your parents weren’t taking them for once. Instead, the three of you were far away from the marauders and the rest of your friends as you signed a contract. Remus — and the others, although they were trying to act like they weren’t — watched you finally sigh in relief.

“Is it done?” Sirius asked.

You nodded, holding up your version of the contract that freed Frank from all responsibilities regarding your very unplanned baby. He didn’t even have to pay any child support. Your family could more than afford it. What you and Frank wanted was a clean break away from each other. With the support of your friends, you were more confident about your decision. Still nervous, but confident.

You clapped your brother on the shoulder. “Jamie, do me a favor and go elope or have a baby or something. Anything to make you the family disappointment again.”

Everyone else smiled as James protested about ever being the family disappointment, only for Fleamont and Euphemia to inform him that he wasn’t a disappointment but he wasn’t the favorite child either. James crossed his arms.

“How are we still counting Regulus? He ran away. That makes me at least the third favorite child… Is it running away if you go back to your original parents?”

Fleamont shrugged. “He’ll be back. Let’s not make you upset by dropping the ranking when he does. Best to keep it as is.”

Sirius, not caring that he wasn’t the first or second favorite on account of sneaking Moony in after curfew on multiple occasions, howled in laughter. He did it again when only two years later he was staring at another baby in a crib. This time James’ son. Sirius picked Harry up, propping him up on a single hip, and bringing him to the kitchen where everyone else was.

“Moons, promise me that we aren’t adopting or getting anyone pregnant until we’re thirty.”

“I’d love to make that promise, Pads, but clearly you Potters are cursed. Count your days before we end up with our own.”

It was a joke. That was all it was ever meant to be. No one in the kitchen at Potter Manor ever predicted it coming true. Only a few weeks after that hangout, everyone abandoned the manor when the war suddenly ramped up. James, Lily, and Harry went into hiding. Regulus did come back, spending lots of nights painfully fighting with his brother about both of their regrets in how he left. He proved himself useful as a spy. Remus moved back in with his dad, towing Peter along, while his mum and Peter’s parents hid themselves in the muggle world. Your parents took your baby girl while you spent most of your days at Hogwarts as a teaching assistant, pretending to know nothing of your brother or the Order.

You weren’t stupid though. James and Lily couldn’t bear you not being the Secret Keeper but they needed another one because of how obvious you were. You chose Peter. Sirius was too obvious, Remus wasn’t the best occlumency, and the girls were in the field too often to take the risk. Peter was unassuming. No one but your friend group noticed him. Death eaters would be the same way.

None of you realized you had underestimated him. Honestly, no one really knows what happened. One minute, you were calling Remus for help as you tried to hold off Voldemort long enough for James and Lily to take Harry and run. The next minute all of them arrived just as you grabbed Harry while James grabbed Lily. You were more skilled in apparating. It was safer if you took Harry and met your brother and sister-in-law at your parents’ house. But you had to get a bit farther before you risked the death eaters being able to hold onto you.

They heard and saw the killing curse fired. They saw you turn to shield your nephew just as the curse hit you in the back. And they saw Harry drop from your arms as you fell into some veil at the same time the curse touched you. What they weren’t sure they saw was Voldemort suddenly disappearing or exploding or vanishing. No one really knew even to this day.

Harry was fine. Maybe he didn’t drop but you set him down? Although, would you have time to when a killing curse was pretty instant? Your body was never recovered. It disappeared through the veil in Godric’s Hollow. The stone archway disappeared a few days later. They buried an empty casket at your funeral.

Remus and Sirius took in your daughter, Lorelei, because the war was still going on even after Voldemort’s disappearance. Once it finally ended a few months later, no one had the heart to take her away from them. James and Lily gladly gave them custody. It wasn’t like Harry wouldn’t see his cousin nearly everyday anyway. They were all content and slowly healing for eleven calm years.

And then Voldemort returned. Something they always anticipated after Regulus informed them of horcruxes but only got one and had yet to figure out how to destroy it. But while they had anticipated it back in the day, they started to forget over the years. And no matter what, they never expected the children to be directly involved. The children shouldn’t have to be involved.

That’s what Remus thought as he stormed through the Department of Mysteries with the rest of the Order. He nearly froze in his place when he saw the veil. Of all places for it to end up, it had to be here right now. He didn’t understand it but magic was a strange thing. And when Sirius began to fall through the smoky white filling the archway, Remus could do nothing but stare as he held his daughter back from following her father and never returning.

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Sirius felt the pain of the curse Bellatrix lobbed at him. But as quickly as the blinding pain happened, it went away. It was nice to know death was painless. And he was still conscious so maybe there was an afterlife after all. Sirius wasn’t sure but he couldn’t do anything at the moment. He couldn’t move his body at all. But he was moving somehow. Feeling slowly started to return to Sirius’ body and he realized he was starting to get soaked through with what he hoped was water.

He stared up at the sky, waiting for more feeling to return, as he continued to float down the river. It was a beautiful day. Time must have worked the same in the afterlife because it was daytime when he entered the Department of Mysteries. He heard a gasp. Sirius closed his eyes as two hands struggled to lug him out of the water. His legs were still jelly that he couldn’t even help the figure take him all the way to wherever he was going. Maybe he should have been more concerned but he was already dead so what’s the worst that could happen. He was taken all the way inside a house. Or at least he thought it was a house. Eyes still closed, Sirius let himself be hauled up onto what definitely felt like couch cushions beneath him.

“I haven’t had a guest in so long. I’ll go make some soup.”

His eyes popped open at the sound. He recognized that voice. But that was impossible. The moment he regained feeling, Sirius sat up and practically ran to the kitchen where he heard humming. His hands reached out without thinking, turning you by the shoulders.

“Y/N?”

“Who? I call myself Gardenia.” You pointed out the window. “After the gardenias outside.”

“No. You’re Y/N P— Y/N P… I’m Sirius Bl— Sirius Bl… Why can’t I remember my last name?”

“It happens. You’re lucky I’m here. No one was around for me and when I passed out, I forgot everything except leaving the river. Almost forgot I could do magic until I just found this wand.”

“When I pass out?”

You nodded. “Should be happening soon. Don’t worry, I’ll remember your name.”

“No, wait. You’re Y/N P— that’s not important. You’re Y/N… fuck, last name isn’t important. Okay and you disappeared on Halloween in…”

Your eyes flitted down as the man in front of you passed out just like you said. At least you could remember two things for him. His name was Sirius. Yours was apparently Y/N. You liked that. It sounded nice. Setting a timer, you floated the man back to the couch now that you had your wand on you and returned to the soup. He lasted a while before fainting so he’d probably be out longer than you and most of your guests were.

A second timer went off just as you added the final ingredients to the soup. Your bread was finally finished proofing. Just in time for your new dinner guest. The real question was how long would Sirius be staying. The longest guest you had was a child who stayed with you for a few good years before you helped them get into Ilvermorny for their final two years of schooling.

Something smelling like a warm hug woke Sirius up from his slumber. He slowly sat up, looking around at his unfamiliar surroundings. The very definition of cottage, complete with a fluffy cat in his lap and looking perturbed that he got up. Running a hand through his hair, he took a deep breath.

“This is not what I thought the afterlife would look like.”

A soft laugh caught his attention.

You set down the perfectly crusted bread on a serving plate. “You’re not dead, Sirius.”

“You know my name? I don’t even know my name.”

“You told me before you fainted.”

“What else did I tell you?”

Sirius’ shoulders slumped when you told him that he was only able to mention his name. Groaning, he finally got to his feet. You pointed to a dresser with various sizes and styles of clothing for guests to choose from. Sirius tried his hardest to remember what would suit him but couldn’t for the life of him. He was sure that he didn’t dress like this smarmy aristocrat everyday and must’ve been in the middle of a dinner party when he died. That didn’t give him much style ideas to go off of. In the end, he chose a pair of corduroy trousers, a plain white t-shirt, and a sweater vest.

He looked himself over in the mirror. The look didn’t fit him at all but it brought on an odd sort of comfort. Not wanting to mull it over much longer, he made his way to the dining table that separated the living room and kitchen.

“So, how are you sure I’m not dead?” he asked as he began buttering the slice of bread he cut.

You grabbed your wand and flicked on the radio. Sirius listened intently as the news played. You flicked on the tv in the living room to show a different news program. He still wasn’t convinced but agreed that if the news said tomorrow’s date in the morning then he would believe it. You led him to one of the guest bedrooms, telling him where everything was and that he should treat the place as his own while he’s here.

Sirius went through all the rooms, except yours, picking clothes in each of the wardrobes and drawers that he thought would be nice for him. He returned to see a nice basket with new underwear and toiletries. They were generic so all guests could use them but Sirius appreciated the gesture nonetheless. You gently called his name. Turning, he saw you leaning against the doorway.

“I have to go to the farmers market tomorrow, you’re welcome to tag along if you want.”

He snorted. “There are farmers markets in the afterlife? Sure.”

“Not the afterlife.”

“I’ll believe it when I hear it.”

“Goodnight, Sirius.”

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It might have been petty but, when morning came, you turned the radio to its loudest volume. Humming to yourself, you began to pack up for the market. This wasn’t always your home after washing up the river. The river outside wasn’t even the same one. You had washed up some river in France. Unfortunately, the person that found you and had a similar set up as yours was out of town when you passed through the veil. If you had washed up two days later then maybe you would have had a chance to tell someone your name or any information. It was too late though.

By the time Delacoeur found you passed out in her lavender bushes, you could only remember that you were a witch. It could have been worse. Delacoeur was an amazing mentor. She had been through the veil herself about twenty years ago. The old woman wasn’t the first to own what she loving called the hotel for forgetful and lost souls. By the time you were well enough to rest, you had renamed yourself several times, remembered you were British, and found yourself staying in a nice wizarding village just outside of Liverpool.

Sirius stumbled out of bed, making his way into the kitchen. He quirked an eyebrow at your fluttering about. You motioned to the radio and he just sighed.

“Fine, I’m not dead.”

“Glad we’ve established that. Do you want to come to market with me?”

“I thought you’d be buying,” he said as he began packing up the rest of your stuff.

“I make money this way.”

“Enough to afford all of this?”

You nodded. “People love fresh produce and baked goods. Muggles, especially. They can’t get enough. Finish washing up, while I load these into the cart. Oh and if you need a refresher, I have loads of spell books on that shelf over there. Not everyone remembers everything they learned.”

Sirius hadn’t really thought about magic. He grabbed a couple books and some inconspicuous dust jackets to put over them when he came back downstairs. You were already outside, loading up the last of the goods. It took everything in him not to laugh. He wasn’t sure what he was expecting but it certainly wasn’t a stand on wheels attached to the back of a multi person bicycle.

“Usually it’s just me but the extra manpower is so helpful that I bought this bike awhile ago so I wouldn’t have to keep switching them in and out. You ready?”

The ride to the market was peaceful, if not a bit silly to Sirius. But he enjoyed it somehow. You finally reached your destination well before any customers arrived. Sirius sat awkwardly on the stool you gave him while you set up. You were mingling with the other vendors, dancing to the music someone set up, and making sure your stand was perfect. It was pretty clear that you had some sort of well-established life. Hopefully, he could get to that point as well.

“How many people have stayed with you before?” Sirius asked suddenly, watching you out of the corner of his eye as you handed a customer a box of croissants.

“Hmm, depends on how you count it.”

“Depends?”

“There’s this old woman in France who has done this for years. She and her family have a hotel for people like us. Usually after I’ve made sure anyone I find is okay, I’ll give them her address.”

“Well then, how many guests stay after they’ve been wellness-checked?”

“Sixty.”

“Sixty?” he nearly choked on his water.

“I’ve been here for about fifteen years, you know. That’s only four guests a year.”

Sirius nodded in satisfaction at that answer. It really wasn’t that many once you broke down the math. He asked many other questions throughout the day. If you were annoyed by any of them, you didn’t let it show. Everything was answered to the best of your ability and with a smile. The questions didn’t stop as you two packed up and cycled home.

“I noticed a picture in the hallway. Do young kids come through the veil pretty often?”

You shook your head. “I’ve only had a handful of them. Those break my heart the most, they’re always so scared at first. Everyone else chooses to live their new life. But Delacoeur and I try to help the kids get back if we can.”

“Were you successful with the boy in the hallway?”

“Sort of. Malcolm freaked out too much to even give me his name before fainting. We figured out that he was on vacation when he came through the veil which was why he ended up so far away from America. He was only twelve.”

Sirius took the cash register inside for you. “Only twelve? That’s awful.”

“It was the worst. He knew he was scheduled to go to Ilvermorny. Apparently he was homeschooled for first year. But because we didn’t know his real name and he hadn’t taken his pictures for school yet, we were stuck again. Malcolm decided to just go when he turned fourteen. He was a good kid, helped me at the market for extra money. He still writes every now and then. I went to his graduation two years ago. He has an internship at the MACUSA and is trying to find his parents.”

You felt your shoulder grabbed before you could step further into the kitchen. Despite the protesting, Sirius made you sit at the table. You worked hard cooking for the market and then selling all those goods. The least he could do was make lunch. Hopefully. Blushing, he admitted that he couldn’t remember if he was a good cook.

“Cookbooks are over there.”

Sirius reached up to the floating shelf and grabbed a book with a bowl of French onion soup on the cover. He flipped through the pages with scrutiny, finally stopping at a recipe for fondant potatoes.

“Does fondant potatoes and, er… soupe au pistou sound good?”

You nodded, summoning a bottle of wine and two glasses. “Sounds perfect. If we’re going to have a French night we need good wine and music.”

Sirius laughed as he opened the door of the pantry and started bringing out the necessary ingredients. Even though he didn’t really remember most of his life, conversation and stories still flowed easily between the two of you. You would mention something you sort of remembered from your past life and he would have a somewhat similar story he would tell. Neither one of you was able to come up with a complete tale or a story with full details but you two were having a good time nonetheless. It was like you were old friends.

“We probably knew each other at school. Where did you attend? I can’t remember where I went.”

“I never figured it out,” you said, shrugging. “Maybe Hogwarts but I washed up in France so maybe Beauxbatons or one of their smaller schools. I showed up with only three galleons in my pocket so the amount of schools I could’ve attended in this area could have been all of them. Wasn’t worth it to check after the first three schools turned up with no results.”

“If I remember then we can see if we were classmates.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

You changed the radio to a station that you knew played French music to really set the tone. As Sirius put the final cut of vegetables in the soup, you summoned a chess set and a miniatures build you started working on the morning Sirius had arrived. One of the kids showed you some sets when you were staying at the hotel and it became a pretty fun hobby. You had gotten really good at them but the simple kits were often more enjoyable.

Under your breath, you began to sing along with the radio as you spread out the pieces for a miniature wand shop. Whenever you had too many miniatures, you’d sell them at market or give them away for free at the end of the day. You looked up when Sirius began singing as well. It seemed like he finally registered what he was doing just as he took the potatoes out of the oven.

“I speak French? Merlin’s Beard, I know French.” A large smirk spread over his face as he turned to look at you. “Tu sais la français est une langue de la romance.”

You snorted. “I hate to break it to you but I spent a good year and half in France. And while your flirting skills are impeccable, men in sweater vests aren’t my type. Especially when they’re drowning in it.”

“Hey! Don’t diss the sweater vest. I feel oddly attached to it.”

You took a bite of potatoes. “Keep cooking like this and I’ll never diss the sweater vest again.”

“Deal.”

Sirius sat down at the table, cracking his knuckles before finally pulling out his wand. A simple levitation spell was a good place to start. He beamed as the wine bottle lifted with no problem and poured into his glass. You lowered the radio a little, moving the chess set to the center of the table as Sirius placed the dishes on the side. The afternoon was peaceful as you two ate lunch, played chess, and toasted to this new or maybe old friendship.

| part 2 here |

#marauders era #marauders au #wolfstar #sirius black x reader #sirius x reader #sirius black

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daytimemin · 6 months ago

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🚨 BIG KOSA UPDATES FOR THE FINAL SECESSION WEEKS OF 2024

Recently, in a last-minute act of desperation, the Senate updated the language in KOSA to try and get House Leadership on board. According to those who have combed through it, this updated version is still bad and some, like Evan Greer, Director at Fight for the Future, still believe that the bill will not move anymore this year.

HOWEVER, this was a major update...

And because of this there will be a call-in day to Congress on this week. As I've been saying, we need to continue to call to ensure this bill does not move anymore this year. When you call make sure you oppose this bill and any attempts to add it to must pass spending legislation (one of our biggest concerns as we near the end of the secession).

We need to keep a huge eye out on this, no matter how unlikely it is to pass or get add to anything. CONTINUE TO CALL HOUSE LEADERSHIP & YOUR REPS‼️NOW IS THE TIME TO RAMP UP PRESSURE ‼️

⭐Mike Johnson: (202) 225-2777

⭐Steve Scalise: (202) 225-3015

⭐Hakeem Jeffries: (202) 225-5936

(Also noting how Republicans, like Rand Paul, still oppose this bill... it is controversial on both sides, so use the call scripts to call House Leadership & your reps)

Update: I was holding onto this post because I was waiting for more information about the Call-In day information, but as I was waiting, Punchbowl News updated that House Leadership was not swayed by the Senate's antics over the weekend, but this does not mean we stop calling. The calling solidifies our work for this year in stopping KOSA and sets us up for the work we have to do next year.

#bad internet bills #kosa #kosa bill #stop kosa #censorship #oppose kosa #us politics #kids online safety act

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rhynestonez · 9 days ago

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Unbroken

Post civil war! Bucky X Reader

Here’s a small snippet of this one shot I’m working on. Hopefully it’ll be done soon.

Steve emerged through the fog—cut-up and dirt-covered, but steady, determined. His shield was strapped across his back, his eyes scanning the space before settling on you.

He exhaled—just a breath, but it sounded like relief.

“You always show up late?” he asked, stepping closer.

You raised a brow. “You’re welcome.”

Sam chuckled low from where he leaned against the jet ramp. “She took out Spider-Boy, cut us free, and walked off without saying more than three words.”

Steve gave you a look. “That sounds about right.”

You gave a half-shrug and turned your gaze toward the far end of the hangar—where Bucky stood alone, watching from the shadows, silent and still.

Steve followed your line of sight.

“He can’t stay here.” he said quietly. “The longer he’s exposed, the harder it’ll be to keep him safe.”

Sam shifted. “You got any ideas? Because I’m fresh out.”

Silence stretched for a beat.

Then, you said “Wakanda.”

Sam blinked. “Wakanda?”

Steve furrowed his brow. “That’s… not exactly a neutral option.”

You didn’t look at either of them. “I’ve been living there.”

That caught Steve off guard. “Since when?”

“Since Sokovia.” A pause. “Off the grid. Off radar. T’Challa and I have… history.”

“Good history?” Sam asked, skeptical.

You finally turned toward them, cool and unbothered. “He owes me a favor.”

Steve hesitated. “You’d really ask him to take Bucky in?”

You met Steve’s eyes, something colder and heavier settling in your tone. “For you? Yes. For him?” Your glance flicked—just briefly—to where Bucky stood. “Not a chance.”

Steve’s expression softened slightly, the corners of his mouth almost tilting upward.

“You’re serious?” he asked.

You nodded once. “You’ll have to come, too. He won’t hand anything over unless he sees your face.”

Bucky still hadn’t moved. Hadn’t spoken. But you felt his eyes on you like a weight—silent, watching, careful.

You didn’t return the look.

Didn’t give him the satisfaction.

You turned toward the Quinjet ramp. “We need to leave before someone realizes who walked out of that mess alive.”

Steve placed a hand briefly on your shoulder. “Thank you.”

You didn’t respond.

Sam made his way up the ramp after you. Steve followed.

Bucky lingered.

Only when you were nearly inside the Quinjet did you finally glance back over your shoulder—just for a second.

Eyes met. Yours and his.

Brief. Quiet. Sharp as a knife.

Then you turned away again, disappearing into the ship.

The Quinjet was quiet.

Mostly.

Steve and Sam sat across from each other near the cockpit, deep in low conversation—something about tracking the rest of the team, staying ahead of the next UN alert. Their voices filled the space in a gentle rhythm, the kind of calm that only came after surviving something very stupid.

You were across the cabin, strapped into a seat, arms crossed, one leg casually propped up— foot tapping faintly against the edge of the hull.

Bucky sat across from you.

Same silence. Same locked position.

And he was staring.

Not aggressively. Not even suspiciously. Just—watching. Almost like he was trying to solve a puzzle with no edges.

You met his gaze without flinching. Your expression flat. Uninterested. A blink. That’s all he got.

But he didn’t stop.

Neither did you.

Seconds stretched.

He shifted slightly, clearly trying to make it look casual. It wasn’t.

You quirked a brow. Barely. But enough to say What?

Still, not a word passed between you.

And somehow, that only made it worse.

Sam kept talking. “I’m just saying, if you have to fight a kid with bug powers, maybe we draw straws next time. ‘Cause I’m not getting webbed to a damn wall again.”

Steve chuckled. “You weren’t even stuck that long.”

“Oh I’m sorry, Cap, is that your minimum standard now? ‘Not stuck that long’?”

No one noticed the stare-off in the back of the ship.

You blinked slowly, tilting your head the slightest bit—like you were done with this game.

Bucky didn’t blink at all.

Childish. Tense. Ridiculous.

You finally rolled your eyes and looked away, muttering under your breath “Weirdo.”

But just loud enough that he’d hear.

His lip twitched.

Barely.

#bucky barnes #fanfics #bucky fanfic #bucky x reader #marvel #thunderbolts #james bucky buchanan barnes #congressman bucky #civil war #wakanda forever #steve rogers #captian america

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eff4freddie · 8 months ago

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After She Left | Ten

Words: 5k

After the dramatic expulsion of Steven and Wren, things settle down a little in Jackson. You've found a way to keep tutoring Ellie that keeps you out of Joel's orbit, and Joel is trying to adapt to his new situation at home. He'll fight hard not to feel things, but he'll always lose when it comes to his girls.

Chapter warnings: Angst, reader gets drunk but isn't out of control, reader is almost as bad at feelings at Joel is, lots of pining coupled with vague attempts to deny anything's wrong

A/N: Coming to the end of the second act now, which means things are going to ramp up again soon. Ya'll wanted emotionally tortured Joel doing penance for being a dick, and you got it!

Nine | Series Masterlist | Eleven

‘Ok, who can tell me what the capital of America is?’ you asked, nearly saying ‘was’ before you caught yourself. Almost all hands raised in the air.

‘Washington DC,’ Dina answered, confidently. You nodded.

‘Excellent, and why was it named Washington?’

‘It was named after George Washington!’ Mika nearly screamed, because he liked a competition.

‘And who was he?’ you prompted, trying not to laugh at the way he was practically bouncing up and down on his chair.

‘He was the first president!’ Mika yelled again, and you grinned.

‘Very good, but take a breath my man,’ you said. He slumped, sucking in the air around him like he’d run a marathon.

‘How did he die?’ Ellie asked, suddenly. She’d been quiet all morning.

‘He got sick, umm…a throat thing,’ you said, trying to remember your eighth-grade history.

‘That’s it?’ she asked.

‘Was he infected?’ Mika asked, suddenly panicky, and Ellie rolled her eyes.

‘They didn’t have the fungus back then, dumbass,’ she hissed.

‘Ellie!’ you gasped, surprise on your face. ‘Apologise to Mika right now.’

She looked at you, just as surprised by your tone. A moment passed between you, a correction, you realised, of a dynamic that had started to creep. You were her teacher and her tutor and her friend, and also for a while you had been sort of seeing her Dad, but that wasn’t a thing anymore and now you had to discipline her, and Jackson was a really fucking small town but right now it felt like it could fit on the head of a pin.

You thought, for a moment, that she was going to fight you. But you watched her deflate, the anger seeping out of her bones.

‘M’sorry,’ she said. You hazarded a glance at Mika, who was now almost completely folded in on himself.

‘It’s OK,’ he said. It wasn’t.

You waited until the end of the day to pull Ellie aside.

‘Ok, what was that before?’ you asked, and she shrugged. She had been quiet again for the rest of the day, not willing to be drawn on questions you knew she had the answer to, and when it came to math in the afternoon she had just stared out the window and drew circles on her paper. You held in a sigh. ‘Mika looks up to you, y’know,’ trying the time-honoured tradition of guilt tripping to keep a teenager in line.

‘I know,’ she said, looking up at you, then, defiant and angry again. ‘I know he does but how is that my job?’

‘OK…’ you started, feeling already that you were getting tugged out to sea by her riptide. ‘I think maybe we need to reset…’

‘Like, did he even ask me if I wanted him to follow me around like a fuckin’ puppy? No. And I don’t want him to. I don’t want to hang out with some stupid fuckin’ kid. It’s embarrassing. What about what I want to do?’

It was a lot in a short period of time, and you were torn on how best to approach it. On the one hand you should probably cool her down, on the other she was finally speaking up about whatever it was that was bothering you. On a third hand she was swearing quite a fucking lot.

‘Ellie…’ you started, but you stopped when you realised her eyes were growing red. ‘Hey, kiddo…’

‘Don’t,’ she said, holding her hand up to you. ‘Not your kiddo.’

‘No, but…but I care about you…’

She bit her lip, obviously wanting to take it all back. You felt a compulsion to wrap her up in your arms and hug her tightly to you, but you knew she wasn’t the type for that. She tugged on her long sleeves. ‘Why do I feel like this isn’t really about Mika?’ you hazarded.

‘He’s moving her into the house,’ Ellie spat, the tears starting to roll down her cheeks. ‘He didn’t even ask me what I wanted.’

It had been weeks since you’d been over there, Ellie choosing to come to you for your sessions. You had thought, initially, that she was trying to spare you from having to deal with Joel, but suddenly you saw it in a different light. You were respite. You were a port in a storm.

You swallowed your own feelings down, a little kick in the gut that would have looked a lot like anguish if you decided to turn your gaze to it.

‘He said she could have the spare room, but then she just moved all her stuff straight into his.’

You weren’t going to think about it. Not about her asleep in his sheets, wrapped up in his arms, his lips pressing soft kisses to her forehead while she slept. None of it.

‘Oh, that’s…’ you started, but couldn’t think how to answer that question. Part of you was howling, while another part of you was working so hard to remind yourself you didn’t care anymore.

‘I’m gonna move out,’ she said, and your attention snapped back to her.

‘What? Ellie you can’t…’

‘There’s a studio out the back, its got proper insulation. Tommy checked in. It has electricity. I’m fuckin’ going out there.’

‘And Joel is OK with that?’ you asked, and she looked down at her shoes.

‘He seemed kind of relieved,’ she muttered. You put a hand on her shoulder.

‘That can’t have been it,’ you said. She looked up into your eyes, and you plastered what you hoped was a confident expression on your face. ‘Can’t have been,’ you repeated.

You were restless. It had been a few hours since your conversation with Ellie and you’d been turning it over in your head like a puzzle you could put together if you could just find the right piece. It was silly, but you wanted to know if Joel had ever felt anything for you, or for anyone in the past twenty years, or if it had been Shauna the whole time. If he’d just been waiting for her, hoping and pining, and you’d been a convenient way to spend his time until she appeared.

It just seemed so fast, that they were already together. You wondered if they had ever really, truly, been apart.

You paced in front of your doorway. The nights were getting cold again, and it was getting darker earlier, and so you didn’t really feel like going for a walk. You wanted to go and see Maria and Baby Robin, but you felt strange about it now, seeing her with Shauna as often as you did. You had the strange feeling of having been corrected and replaced, a new version of you with edits, out and about living the life you should have if you had been any good at it.

You’d already eaten. The little makeshift library would be closed. You thought about dropping in on Billy at the wall, but the wind was picking up and you weren’t sure when Joel’s next shift was. You hated that you still navigated by his bearings.

At your front porch, you let your legs walk you where they wanted to. As you listened to the crunch of your boots on the gravel you thought of life beyond the wall, tried to imagine all the horrors Shauna would have been dealing with out there. She travelled with two men, and you weren’t so naïve that you didn’t know what that would have cost her. You wondered if she’d spent time in a QZ, if she’d had a job there. She didn’t seem like the type to be enlisted; she probably would have been too old on outbreak day.

You had to believe it was unintentional, her finding Joel and Jackson. You couldn’t think of any way it couldn’t have been, and you tried. So, what was it then that she had found him, in a world almost totally wiped clear, other than a kind of kismet? Who were you to interfere in luck that strong? In something so fated as to be almost impossible. You weren’t a religious person, not spiritual in any real way, not after everything you’d seen and lost, but even you had to respect when the Universe was sending such an obvious message.

You stopped, looking up to discover your feet had marched you to the Bison. Fair enough. If you weren’t going to ignore clear and obvious and pretty fucking painful messages from the Universe, you better not start now.

Joel was irritated. More than irritated, more than frustrated. Shauna was in his place all the fuckin’ time now, and he wasn’t entirely sure how it got to be that way, and now Ellie was talking about movin’ out to the studio right as the weather was turning, right as the cold was going to set back in, and he was going to go knocking on her door one day and find her frozen fuckin’ solid under some thin little blanket Tommy has scrounged up for her instead of warm and safe under his roof.

He stood out the front of his porch, looking suspiciously at the potted plants Shauna had lined up against the railing. She said it was about being homely, about bringing in a little colour, but Joel couldn’t help but notice all of her womanly touched appeared at the front of the place. Visible from the street.

He paced. He’d done another shift on the wall and normally he’d be desperate to sit down, rest his knees and his back. Take some of the pressure off his aching bones. But now his house felt different, like it wasn’t fully his own. He’d lost something. Another something.

Ducking under the side windows he made it way around the back to the studio, careful to push the door open just enough to slip in unheard from the house. He didn’t turn the light on, didn’t want to draw any attention. He stood in the middle of it, staring at the bare window and the cold concrete floor.

He’d been grateful for the peace, for a while. With Steve and Wren excised from the community things settled in. Shauna was getting back on track with the council, seemed to have settled more into her role as Maria’s almost PA, as Tommy’s kind of but not quite assistant. She hummed when she cooked dinner, some kind of tuneless melody that might have been a song he could recognise before she mangled it. She was no better chef than she was twenty years ago.

It had just come on so quickly, his history clawing out of the depths and grabbing him by the middle. Fast enough he hadn’t noticed until he was pulled under.

He heard the door creak and he swung around, bracing.

‘Sorry, brother,’ Tommy said, arms up in surrender. ‘Didn’t realise you were in here.’

‘Keep your voice down,’ Joel muttered, pulling his brother in and easing the door closed.

‘You in hidin’ in here?’ Tommy asked, and Joel huffed out a frustrated sigh.

‘Just didn’t feel like…dealing with anything for a minute,’ he said. Tommy watched as his older brother grimaced, holding his hip.

‘You hurt?’ he asked.

‘Nah,’ Joel dismissed, waving the brotherly concern away. ‘Just been on the couch the last few weeks, ain’t sure it ever had springs worth a damn but twenty years ain’t helped it none.’

‘On the couch, huh?’ Tommy asked, surprised by this little glimpse into Joels’ home life.

‘I ain’t with Shauna,’ Joel said, because he could read his brother’s mind, being so similar to his own.

Tommy nodded, walking to the wall of the room and leaning against it, one leg bent at the knee as he rested his foot behind him.

‘So what’s goin’ on there, brother?’ he asked, and watched as Joel turned away.

‘She just…she’s just suddenly everywhere,’ Joel said, after a while.

‘When you moved her out of ours, I thought…’

‘She said it was too damp, that it was makin’ her stuffed up. I dunno. She used to get real sneezy in the Spring.’

Tommy nodded at this. He’d been happy to have his garage back, but he considered now he might have been a little too keen to push her out.

‘How did I lose it again?’ Joel asked, almost to himself.

‘What do you…’

‘She was under m’roof, now she’s movin’ out here to the cold. We were a family, for a second, we were safe. There was a kind of…’

‘Peace,’ Tommy supplied, and Joel nodded.

‘I failed her again, Tommy,’ he said, voice thick enough that Tommy faltered. ‘Both of ‘em,’ he said.

Tommy didn’t need to ask who. He’d seen the change in his brother when Ellie started tutoring, had seen the way he was fighting happiness like he couldn’t quite believe it, like he knew all too well what it was like to have it ripped out from under him, to have it bleed in his arms. Knew his brother and that he was a fast learner, that he wasn’t often fooled twice.

‘You didn’t believe it,’ Tommy said, after a while. Joel nodded, fighting hard to keep tamping down whatever was currently trying to crawl up and out of his sternum.

‘Every time I look at Shauna…’ he said, stopping for a second to catch his breath. ‘She has her eyes, Tommy.’

Tommy smiled warmly at this, having noticed the same. It might have been why he offered Shauna the garage in the first place, so sure he was watching Sarah stare back at her uncle through her mother’s eyes. It had made it impossible to say no, and he hadn’t wanted to.

‘No…’ Joel was saying, ‘you don’t unnerstand.’ Tommy realised there were tears threatening to spill down Joel’s cheeks. ‘She’s there every time I look at Shauna, but she’s not there, not in the right now. Every time I look at Shauna I think about m’little girl. I think about all the love for her, cuz it’s still right there, Tommy.’ Joel rubbed at his chest, thumping over his heart. ‘And…I think about losin’ her. I think about those eyes going hazy starin’ up at me in that damn field.’

Joel felt his stomach roll, worried for a moment the memory was so strong he would conjure it in front of himself. He could smell her blood again, mixed in with the dirt and the long grass.

‘Shauna’s here all the damn time, and now it’s like it was all yesterday again. I see m’little girl’s face gone all pale, I feel her in my arms…’

Joel stopped. He didn’t have the words anymore, couldn’t trust that he would be able to speak them out loud. He realised he was shaking, that he was close to toppling over when he took a step back and had to steady himself on the bench. In moments he was wrapped in his brother’s arms, holding on nearly as tight as the moment they’d been reunited the first time Joel made it to Jackson.

‘I know, brother, I see it too,’ Tommy said, feeling his own tears tracking down his cheeks.

‘Shauna’s costin’ me everything. Teach, maybe Ellie… I can’t stand it, but I can’t… I want her near, Tommy. I gotta look after her, cuz there’s my little girl in those eyes, and I can’t fuckin’ fail her again.’

Tommy nodded, his words too caught up in his throat. All he could do was nod, clap his brother on the back a few times. After a minute he let go, rearranging his jacket and clearing his throat as Joel composed himself a few paces away.

‘When Ellie said she wanted to come out here I was almost…it almost felt like a good thing. I dunno…some kind of, separation maybe? From history and…whatever the fuck this is now.’

Tommy didn’t really understand, probably would never, but he agreed with his big brother just the same.

‘We can make it real nice in here, Joel. We can make it warm, make sure its dry. I’m already thinkin’ about rugs, Maria reckons she can sew up some curtains.’

Joel appraised the room. He had seen his brother repair worse.

‘She’s a teenager, would have wanted her own space one day anyhow,’ he rationalised, and Tommy agreed.

‘It might be good for you both, especially with…’ Tommy nodded to the house. ‘You really want an angry teenager in your house 24/7?’

‘Dealt with you OK,’ Joel said, and he was smiling again, if a little tentatively.

‘Ahh, I was a fuckin’ angel compared to you, brother,’ Tommy said. He slapped his brother on the back again as if he could push the shrivelled little kernel of loss out, shoot it out of his chest and onto the floor beside them, let it rattle around unnoticed, roll under a cabinet and gather dust.

You’d found a seat at the bar, the booths mostly taken out by groups or couples. You hadn’t considered that you would be so obviously alone when you first walked in, and you scanned around you to see if anyone was looking. To your relief, none of them were.

It wasn’t like you hadn’t spent hours of your life drinking at the Bison. But usually with Billy, or Maria before Tommy came along, and then eventually Tommy, too. But this felt different. You ordered a whiskey from Paulie on the bar, and willed your fingers to still.

It took twenty minutes for you to relax, exchanging glances with Paulie and feeling the hairs on the back of your neck tingle each time you thought someone was looking your way. A second whiskey in you found yourself caring less, the warmth running down your throat and into your chest. It was starting to feel more and more like a very good idea to come in here.

You heard laughter to your left, and turned to see Guillaume and Jonah chuckling to each other. You caught their eye, not able to look back fast enough, and they clocked you watching. They nodded to you, raising their glass. Embarrassed, you did the same.

It took a few minutes before Guillaume pealed away, leaving Jonah on his own. You swallowed, watching out of your peripheral vision as he slid off his stool and came to stand within striking distance of you.

‘Hi,’ he said, when you insisted on still pretending you didn’t know he was there. You felt your shoulders tighten as you turned to him.

‘Hi there,’ you said, trying to sound bright and easy but your tongue suddenly sluggish under all that booze. He was smiling, though, his face open as he moved to perch beside you.

‘Drinking alone?’ he asked, and you shrugged.

‘It’s after 5,’ you reminded him, and he grinned.

‘That’s true,’ he said, raising his hands in mock apology. ‘You go about your business.’

The way he said it reminded you of so many of the FEDRA soldiers you had worked besides, and sometimes opposite. Go about your business, uttered to the gathering crowd while a rifle wavered in the face of a thirteen-year-old kid caught stealing from the breadline. You blinked, those memories almost ten years old and still enough to jolt you right down to the bone.

‘You’ve been abandoned,’ you observed, your voice oddly strained.

‘Nah, I asked Guillaume to take a hike,’ Jonah said, shrugging.

‘You did? Why?’ you asked, and he put his head on his side to observe you properly as he grinned.

‘Wanted to talk to you.’

Oh, you thought. Fuck. Flirting. What was that again? You felt your face arrange itself into a look of surprise, without your instruction. Jonah’s grin faltered.

‘Unless you don’t want me to talk to you…I mean, if you want to be alone of course I’ll leave you…’

It was just so different. He was just telling you what he was thinking, and he was considering your feelings, and he was smiling warmly at you without giving the impression that it cost him something to do it.

‘No, keep me company. If you leave it’ll really look like I have a drinking problem.’

As he ordered himself another beer and a lemonade for you, you studied his profile. He was younger than Joel, either in his late 30s or early 40s – it was hard to tell because the apocalypse tended to age a person – and you observed that he had deep lines around his eyes from when he smiled. He was clean-shaven, kept his hair short except for an unruly curly bit on the top that looked like it had a mind of its own. His nails were neatly trimmed. You didn’t know why that mattered to you, but for some reason it did. He was good looking, you realised. In a conventional kind of way. In the real world he would have done well for himself.

‘I’ve gotta say, I was kind of scared to talk to you,’ Jonah said, and you caught the way he was blushing even in the dim lights of the Bison.

‘Oh? Why’s that?’ you asked, and he grinned at you.

‘I mean, you’re the one up on that hill teachin’ all these kids to read, about history and stuff, how the world works.’

‘You intimidated by a smart woman?’ you asked, and his smile faltered, slightly.

‘Intimidated…’ he said, as if he was tasting the word for the first time. ‘Maybe a little. Maybe just kinda shy.’

You genuinely weren’t sure what to make of this revelation. You let it roll around in your head for a while to see if you could make sense of it.

‘You worried I’m going to correct your grammar?’ you asked, and you laughed a little to let him know you were kidding, mostly.

‘Just not used to being so outgunned,’ he said, and oh he was very fucking charming when he wanted to be, actually. You felt your own blush creep up your cheeks to match his.

He went in eventually, ate dinner at the table with Shauna while she prattled on about her day, but he was restless again by bedtime, the couch and the scratchy blankets not appealing even despite the long day.

‘You could always join me upstairs,’ Shauna said, and Joel exhaled long and slow.

‘Ain’t gonna do that, Shauna. Told you before.’

Shauna shrugged at him, climbing three steps before stopping and turning back to him.

‘We’ll see when it gets real cold, Miller,’ she said, and he wasn’t sure whether she meant it to sound so much like a threat.

He decided on a whiskey, just one, to ease his body into sleep. He had generally been sober, seeing as though he had no hope of pills nor inclination to raid the infirmary and take from the community that sheltered him and his girls, but he stared at the ceiling enough nights to know he didn’t have it in him now.

There was a chill in the air, he noticed, as he walked silently to the Bison. Shauna was right, it would get cold in the living room soon enough. He’d have to check to see if there were heavier blankets. Put in a special request to Gollum next time there was a patrol.

He felt a little better, having talked it out with Tommy. He’d been finding it hard to figure what was going on, why he was so mad all the time, why he was dreaming of her again. It made sense when he said it out loud. Felt like he’d lanced some kind of mental boil, maybe a little. Didn’t feel so tight in his chest. He hadn’t realised he’d been walking around with a fist clenched in his gut until this moment, when it had finally, and ever so slightly, eased its grip.

The Bison was quiet, only a handful of couples and groups left in the booths. He’d taken three steps when he heard your laugh, a sing-song little thing that he’d first heard twinkle out of you when Ellie was reciting some of her favourite jokes from that damn pun book. His body turned on instinct to the sound.

You had your hand on the arm of one of Gollum’s men, his new patrol partner. You were smiling so warm and pretty as he told you some stupid fuckin’ story that had you giggling, light radiating off your face. There were a couple of empty glasses between you, your cheeks rosy from the warmth of the booze in your blood.

You were happy and you were relaxed, he realised, and he hadn’t seen you like that in a long time. Not since Shauna. Not since he…just…not since him.

Joel realised the clenched fist in his gut had only lessened its grip so that it could wind up a punch, hard and radiating right up to his solar plexus. He looked away, shame burning hard on his cheeks.

He wanted to march over there, rip you off the barstool and throw you over his shoulder, spank you on your behind as he carried you back to your place and reminded you who you belonged to, who wanted you.

Wanted to wrestle the little patrolman prick to the ground, kick a boot into his side and make him spit blood for the simple crime of having tried to take you from him.

Wanted to run over there, pull you into his arms and beg for your forgiveness.

Wanted to run.

He turned, fast, on his heel, pushing the door open and hearing it swing back behind him with a crack. He was down the step and out onto the street too fast to find out if anyone was following him, couldn’t imagine that they would. He let his brain tease him for a second that you had seen him, that he’d hear your sweet soft voice callin’ for him out of the nighttime, your little siren song.

He wondered what he’d say to you. If he had the words to make it better, what those would be. He sighed, frustrated with himself, heading back to his house and to the couch and to the scratchy blanket.

So many nights on that thing, staring at the ceiling and practicing what he might say to you. Night after night and not a single sentence to show for it.

You heard the door slam, momentarily drawn from your conversation with Jonah to wonder if everything was OK. You waited for the room to stop spinning, realising you’d had way more than you’d intended. You felt warm and kind of slippery inside, and you couldn’t remember if it was a school night, but your skeleton had stopped trying to crawl its way out of your body, and that was good enough for now.

‘You wanna keeptha party goin’?’ Jonah asked, and you blinked at him, wondering for a second what he could possibly mean.

‘You mean go back to your place and have sex?’ you asked, because the alcohol was making you blunt, even for you. You watched as Jonah spluttered, choking a little on the glass of water Paulie had insisted you both have.

‘I mean…if you’re…’

‘No,’ you said, simply. Not angry, not sad, not anything really. Just, no. You didn’t feel like it, weren’t sure you’d enjoy it when you’d had this much to drink.

‘Can I walk y’home, at least?’ he asked, and you considered it.

‘You might be more drunk than me,’ you concluded, and Jonah, in turn, gave this some thought.

‘I’d say there’sapretty goo’ chance thassright,’ he said.

‘If anything I might have to walk you home,’ you said. You were smart when you were drunk, you thought. Maybe you should be drunk more often.

‘Can’t do that, I’d feel lessofaman,’ Jonah said.

You were standing now, and so was Jonah, although he appeared to be having more difficulty with it.

‘Y’know the way?’ you asked, and he looked puzzled for a moment.

‘I do,’ Paulie said, clear as a bell, from behind the bar. ‘I’m closing up now, I’ll take him home myself.’

You nodded at this development. Yes, good. That made perfect sense. Everything did, all of a sudden.

‘Well then, I bid you…umm…adieu,’ you finished, with a flourish. You also spoke French when you were drunk, apparently. You contained fucking multitudes.

Out on the street the cold sobered you, and you winced a little as the world came back into focus. You had liked it when everything was just a little soupy. It had felt uncomplicated with Jonah. It had felt…good.

You followed the tracks in frost up the street, not stopping to consider whose they might be. As you got to the corner of your street you noticed that they veered off to the left, towards Joel’s house. You wondered if his lights would be on, if he would be up reading in bed, or whittling on his porch. You considered how late it was, and that Shauna was in there with him now, and you felt your stomach turn sour. You turned, walked the untrodden path to your place.

In the morning, a little packet of two not-terribly-expired Tylenol and a bottle of water appeared on your doorstep. More hungover than you could ever remember being, you drank the water and the pills down without stopping to question it. You marvelled at how well Jonah could apparently handle his drink. You wondered why he didn’t knock, or want to come in, but then you looked down and realised you were still in your clothes from the night before, and it made a little more sense. Your mouth tasted like you’d deepthroated a urinal cake. You imagined. You might have still been a little drunk.

Joel stood on the corner, watching you appear at your door in a way that he hoped appeared less creepy than he felt. He hadn’t slept, not a wink, so was able to get down to the infirmary first thing.

It hadn’t been his intention, but he was relieved to see you were still in your clothes. It wasn’t like he was curious, but he supposed that meant you had gone home alone.

The sun in your eyes, you didn’t see him. You let the doorframe hold you up for a while, adjusting to the glare of the dawning Saturday. It was really kind of Jonah to get up this early to come care for you. When you were human again, you were definitely going to make it up to him.

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