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casspurrjoybell-21 · 9 months

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Pirate Chains - Volume 1 - Strong Tides

*Warning Adult Content*

Chapter 21c - Stranger Amongst Wolves

Nyx

"Please call me Nyx."

Jay patted my shoulder firmly with his heavy hand.

"Great to meet you, Nyx. Looks like we're gonna have some fun with you around."

I had no idea what he meant by that but before I could ask, the rest of the group approached and started introducing themselves. Just when I thought I was done, the guy who went by armpits grabbed my hand and gave it a vigorous shake. He was shirtless and smelled awful but he seemed proud of his nickname.

"I'm Mern. You can call me armpits," he said.

I forced a smile and replied...

"Nice to meet you, Mern. I'm Nyx. Kindly refrain from addressing me as doll."

He looked at me for a moment and nodded.

"Aye. I can do that."

"I should return to my chores or Baril will become angry," I said, attempting to find a way to flee this charming assembly.

But the pirate snorted.

"Oh, forget about him. That old man is always in a foul mood."

Suddenly, another person appeared out of nowhere and slung his arm around my neck. He let out a booming laugh and shouted into my ear...

"Storm-boy. Don't worry about work. We're going to party tonight."

I felt uneasy at his overly friendly gesture but it was certainly better than facing their knives.

"We haven't properly welcomed you yet," he continued.

"Thank you but it's not necessary," I replied, attempting to remain polite.

"No way. It's our tradition for every new mate. Tonight, you'll drink with us, boy," he insisted.

"I'm Nyx," I insisted.

"I know, I know. Maren's told us all about you. Better get used to nicknames because you already have a bunch of them."

I couldn't believe it.

"Nicknames? For me?"

"That's right. We've got storm-boy, collar kid and even doll and Regina."

"The last is my ship's name, not mine." I protested, glaring at the guy who held my neck under his arm and called me womanly nicknames.

"Hey, don't blame me," he said,

"I prefer storm-boy."

"But next time, talk to us kid. We lost money because of you."

"What money?" I asked.

"For the bet, remember? The one where you challenged Ace."

I sighed. These pirates went rogue with their bets and held me responsible for them.

efore I knew it, there were more pirates than I could count talking and laughing around me.

"Ah. And don't forget 'punch,'" another shouted. "Tell us about that one. We still have a bet going on about who threw the first punch."

"Most of the votes went for the captain," another said.

"But strangely you don't seem to have any real damage."

The conversation had turned to the time when I had punched Agenor. Clearly, they have all noticed the blue mark on his nose. They wanted me to confess to landing the blow on their Captain but I knew that would probably be a suicidal move.

"I would really appreciate it if we could forget about that incident," I said, hoping to put an end to the topic.

"Forget? No way, mate. We have a bet on this," one of them replied, insisting on hearing the details.

I could sense the pressure mounting and I knew that any answer I gave would not be in my favor. Just then, Maren walked in and saved me from the uncomfortable situation and I was quite thankful.

"What's all the fuss about, mates?" he asked, lightening up the mood.

"Ah, Nyx. So you're already making friends, huh. Well, don't forget Maren, your first friend, right, mate?" he joked and I couldn't help but smile at his infectious energy.

But my relief was short-lived.

"Maren, we were asking him about the punch," someone interjected, determined to get their answer.

"Ah, aye. Nyx, tell us about the punch. I need to win, mate," Maren joined in, much to my chagrin.

I laughed, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

"Hey, while we're at it, why not ask him about the other bet too, Maren?"

Wait, there was another bet about me? Maren turned to the person asking.

"Sorry mate, I don't want my head pinned on the flag."

So there's a bet that could get Maren in trouble if he asks about it? The topic piqued my interest but I had no room for curiosity at the moment.

"Come on, Maren. You started the bet, so you have to see it through."

"Forget it. I'm not sure if the captain would approve, so let's drop it... at least for now."

Some people looked disappointed, while others gave me crude smiles. Whatever they were discussing, it seemed inappropriate. Suddenly, Maren turned to me.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Captain is calling for you."

"Agenor?"

"Yes, hurry. Let him through, the captain doesn't like to wait."

I wanted to ask why he hadn't mentioned it earlier but I kept quiet. I maneuvered through the crowd, made my way to the ladder and climbed to the deck. It was still too early to sleep and some were still having dinner. This must be about something I did. The question was whether it was related to meddling with Baril's kitchen or speaking to the big guy with the bat earlier. What could I have done? Offered him a beer and curtsied?

Agenor sat on the bowsprit with one foot resting on it and the other hanging off to the side, looking towards the deck. When I climbed the steps to the forecastle, he looked at me but I kept a reasonable distance from him. Ace was also present, standing close to Agenor and gazing out at the sea. I wished Ace would turn and face me, hoping to read from his expression whether Agenor was angry with me. Suddenly, Agenor spoke and my breath caught in anticipation of punishment.

"So," he said, causing me to tense up.

"A party, huh?"

I looked at him in confusion, unsure of what he meant. Agenor smiled and my fears dissipated. I felt my body and mind relax. Wait, the party... someone just mentioned it in the water room and he already knew about it. Even Ace seemed surprised by Agenor's comment. But if he knew about the party so quickly, did he also hear about the guy with the bat? Noticing my confusion, Agenor chuckled.

"Nyx, come here", he said.

I stepped forward, waiting for any instructions. As if he could read my thoughts, he added...

"I just wanted to get you away from those hooligans. You haven't had a chance to appreciate today's beautiful sky yet."

Now that he mentioned it, it was true. I stayed in the hull all day, mostly the galley and only got out when he called.

"Just stay here for a bit, you worked enough for the day."

I looked at his warm smile, unable to come up with anything to say.

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young-dumb-and-vaccinated · 3 years

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The Cult Girl (Hannibal x Female!Reader) pt. 13

Hello friends we have come to the end of Cult Girl. Thank you all for hyping me up throughout this story and giving me the confidence to actually post my work. Y/n and Hannibal throw a dinner party.

The sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating the entire kitchen in that homey mid-morning glow. You were enjoying your coffee and scrolling through an article on your phone.

"Senator Hatch reportedly coughed up his late wife's toe on the floor of the precinct." You read out loud. "Huh. Wonder how that could have happened."

You side-eyed Hannibal, who was contentedly sharpening his knives. Placing a rather large meat cleaver to the side, he met your gaze. "I have my ways."

You finished off your coffee and brought the mug to the sink. "There was no way Theresa was going to survive that night, was there?"

"Clever girl." Hannibal praised.

"You were going to kill her if I didn't, were you?" You felt a smile coming on. "Did everything turn out as expected?"

"Darling, this all went much better than I could have ever hoped for." He smirked. "See, I had the whole evening mapped out. I was hoping you'd be the one to deliver justice and kill her, but I had to prepare for the possibility that you wouldn't."

You folded your arms and leaned against the island. "Is that why I was so sick that day?"

You could have sworn you saw some hesitation in Hannibal's face. Maybe even a touch of regret. "Yes. You needed an alibi. It was as easy as removing a single birth control pill from your packet. You'd see it was missing and think you'd already taken your medicine-"

"So I'd neglect to take my focus meds." You cut in. "Yeah, I knew something was off."

"By the end of the day, you'd be experiencing full withdrawal symptoms." Hannibal nodded. "I don't take any pleasure in upsetting the delicate balance of your brain chemistry, and for that I am sorry. I did what I had to."

"Yeah, don't ever do that again." You ordered, no disarming smile in sight. "I need those meds to function."

"I promise you, darling," Hannibal said, sincerely. "I would never keep you from being anything but your very best. I was just looking after you."

"I suppose now that all this is out in the open, you won't need to pull any shit like that again." You muttered. "But I'm still going to keep my pills at my apartment."

"That reminds me." He said. "Would you like to invite your roommates for dinner tonight? I've prepared a wonderful Spanish-inspired menu that's perfect for entertaining."

"I'd love for you to meet my friends, but, they all keep such weird hours I doubt they'll all be free tonight." You shrugged. "I'll give them a call though."

"Wonderful." He smiled. "You make arrangements while I prepare the kitchen."

You stepped into the office and called up Pilar. She answered within the minute.

"[F/N]!" She near shouted. "Holy fuck, how are you doing?"

"I'm actually doing..." you looked back into the kitchen, watching your beloved Hannibal in his element. "Really well."

"I heard about your cousin." Pilar cut in. "One down, two to go."

You snorted. "No fucking shit."

"Sorry, was that okay for me to say?" She apologized. "I know you said Theresa was a bitch, but it's your trauma and I-"

"No, you're fine." You laughed. "She was a bitch. Hey, do you have any plans tonight?"

"Uh, no. I don't think so." She answered. "Why?"

"Hannibal wants to invite you all for dinner tonight." You said with an audible smile. "Y'know, to celebrate the bitch's death."

"Yo! Steph!" Pilar shouted across the room. "Wake Randy up! We're having dinner at [F/N]'s rich boyfriend's house!"

You could make out Stephanie's voice in the background. "It's about damn time. We've been waiting for her to redistribute the wealth."

"She means thank you for the invitation." Pilar corrected.

"It's not like I had to twist his arm or anything. It was his idea." You chuckled. "He loves having guests. And excuses to dress up."

"Oh so we're getting fancy, huh?" Pilar's voice turned up in excitement.

"Hey [F/N]!" Randy snatched the phone from Pilar. "Text me the menu for tonight. My girlfriend'll steal a nice bottle of wine to pair. She's a pro, she works over at Cavatappi's wine and spirits."

"Much obliged, Randy." You said. "I'll see you guys at seven."

You returned to the kitchen with a smile. "They're coming."

"Well, we don’t have a moment to lose, then." Hannibal placed something wrapped in butcher paper on the counter. "Come now. Let me show you how to properly prepare a heart.

You and Hannibal spent the rest of the morning and the whole afternoon preparing a bountiful meal. You reveled in the irony of finally finding a space for Theresa in your life. That space just so happened to be on the stove.

Seven came far too quickly, but your friends were always a welcome sight. You greeted them at the door with hugs, Hannibal watching with stoic adoration.

"Guys, this is Hannibal Lecter, my partner." You introduced. "Hannibal, this is Pilar, Stephanie and Miranda."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, ladies." Hannibal greeted. “Please, make yourselves comfortable.”

"Here you go, Dr. Lecter." Randy handed him a bottle of wine. "Thank you for inviting us."

Hannibal examined the bottle. "Yes, this will pair quite nicely with our meal. Thank you very much. [F/N], could you show our guests to the dining room?"

You nodded and accepted the bottle, given the extra responsibility of pouring. You led your friends to the dining room and wasted no time distributing the alcohol.

"A toast." Stephanie rose her glass. "Too many of history's worst have had the privilege of dying on their own terms. Today, we celebrate the death of one who didn't: Theresa [L/N]."

"She will join her sisters Nancy Reagan and Madame Nhu in hell tonight." You concurred, tapping your glasses together with a series of satisfying clinks.

"Okay, you need to spill." Randy scooted her chair up and leaned towards you. "How the hell did you get away with it?"

"Well, it helped a lot that her husband was already a felon." You teased. "If I didn't kill her, he was going to eventually."

Pilar made a face. "I can't believe it took actual murder to get that latter-day lump thrown in prison."

"Well, the LDS church is a very influential organization with a stronghold on all of Utah." You explained. "There's a long history of legitimizing sex abuse there."

"We know, cult girl." Stephanie laughed. "You remind us every time your pedophile cousin-in-law comes up. Relax and take your victories where you can get them.”

“Ladies,” Hannibal entered. You rushed to his side to help him with the dinner plates. “Have we ever tried organ meat before?”

Everyone’s eyes found Pilar.

“Braised liver is delicious and you guys are just cowards.” Pilar protested. “I will die on this hill.”

Hannibal smiled and presented your friends with their plates. “You are a woman of good tastes, Pilar. Our first course is Riñones al Jerez.”

“Kidneys.” Randy translated. “Who’s kidneys are we eating today, Dr. Lecter?”

He tilted his head. “Theresa’s, of course.”

“I don’t care whose organs you harvested.” Stephanie said, her eyes rolling back into her head. “This is delicious.”

You and Hannibal shared a glance and a smile.

You and your roommates devoured the Riñones al Jerez, then dug into the next serving of heart stewed with chickpeas and olives. You finished off the evening with natillas de leche and a bottle of Sauternes Hannibal just happened to have lying around.

“This is the first time since like, Keith Raniere got sentenced that I’ve seen [F/N] happy-drunk.” Stephanie observed.

“Or even just... happy." Pilar said, looking at Hannibal. "I'll have some of whatever she's having, please."

"My pleasure." Hannibal poured her another glass of wine.

Your phone began to buzz on the table, capturing the attention of your guests. You didn't even need to look at the caller ID to know who it was. Nobody else in the world had such horrid timing.

"Shit, you've got to answer it here!" Stephanie pleaded. "So we can all give her a piece of our mind!"

You looked over to Hannibal, who you knew was just as curious.

You dragged the answer icon across the screen and put it on speaker. You gestured for your friends to be quiet. "Yeah?"

"Well look who finally decided to pick up." Grandma said. "Thank you for gracing me with your attention. I know you have so much going on right now, you're just too busy to pick up the phone and talk to your grieving grandmother."

"For your information..." you stumbled over your words. "I was interrogated by the police yesterday. I think that counts as having something going on."

"Are you drunk?" Her voice was laced with a disproportionate level of disgust.

"I'm grieving too, Beatrice." You counter. "What, suddenly you're the only one who can drink the pain away? That's not very democratic of you."

"In your state, you shouldn't even be thinking of alcohol!" Grandma scolded. "You of all people should know the effects alcohol has on an unborn baby."

You smacked yourself on the head. Of course Theresa would plant a seed to fuck you over one last time. "Did Theresa actually tell you I was pregnant?"

"It was her last message to me, actually. Anyway, you're coming home." Grandma said, without so much as waiting for a response. "I won't have my great grandchild living in that dangerous city that your cousin was killed in."

You exchanged looks with your friends, who were going through the same combination of emotions as you were. Grandma's words just seemed to fade out as you shared an entire nonverbal conversation with the people around you.

"And you're leaving that terrible, terrible man."

Hannibal raised an eyebrow and looked at you, waiting to see how you'd respond. You knew what you had to do. It was finally time. You did something you should have done a long time ago.

"No." You said, your nerves loosened by the wine.

"What?"

"No. And I mean it." A big smile crossed your lips. "Theresa lied to you. I'm not pregnant. And you have to live with the fact that your granddaughter's last words to you were a blatant lie."

Hannibal looked at you with pride and your friends began to silently gas you up with encouraging gestures. "

"...And that you're the only one to blame for her deception." You continued. "You raised her in your own image."

"This is why I refuse to let you raise my great grandchild with that man!" She wailed. "He's twisted your mind against me! He's made you cruel!"

"Hannibal made me see clearly that you made me cruel." You said with absolute certainty. "You'll never see me again."

"Don't be like your mother, [F/N]." Grandma snarled. "Don't cut people out for trying to help."

"You'll never see me again." You repeated and decided to leave it at that. You ended the call and blocked the number, joined by an eruption of excitement from your friends.

It was finally over. Your life could truly begin.

#hannibal nbc #hannibal x reader #hannibal lecter #hannibal x you #cult girl

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jbuchanan-barnes · 3 years

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as long as we have each other

Summary: While on a mission, something unexpected happens to Bucky.

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x reader

Word count: 2,359

Warnings: Canon typical violence, mention of illegal weapons dealing, blood. This is the first time I'm posting something that I've written, and I'm very nervous. I feel like that should be a warning 🙈

A/N: Hi! This is for @wkemeup 's 9k writing challenge - Character A cleans Character B's wounds after a rough mission. [A]'s fingers linger over scarred muscle as they finish wrapping the bandage.

Congrats on 9k Kas!! Also, thank you to @thefanbasewhore for proof reading!!

divider credits to @bwbatta

After coming back from a two week long solo mission in Warsaw, you were just about ready to take a nice long bath and sleep for a week. As you walked off the quinjet, it was no surprise to see a certain metal armed super soldier waiting for you with his arms crossed.

As you close the space between you, his eyes rake over you from top to bottom to check for injuries. “I was starting to think your mission would never end,” Bucky says, smirking down at you. “And by the looks of it, I think you thought the same thing.” “Shut up,” you respond with a halfhearted glare. His smirk melts into a gentle smile as he pulls you into his arms. “I missed you,” Bucky replies as he buries his face into your neck. “Two weeks is too long to go without seeing you.” You hum in agreement as your hands travel to his hair. After a few moments of standing tangled together, you break the silence. “As much as I’d love to hug you forever, I’m dying to get out of this suit.” Bucky pulls out of your embrace, kisses you on the head, and gently takes your hand. You let him lead you through the compound towards your room, but before you’re able to make it past the kitchen, you’re interrupted. “Oh! Y/N, Barnes!” Tony exclaims, “Just the people I needed to talk to.” You groan just as Bucky responds. “Can it wait, Stark? Y/N just got back from Poland.” “Unfortunately,” Tony replies, “I need you both to Brazil tomorrow.” “There’s a guy who has been harboring stolen SHIELD tech since the incident at the triskelion, and he finally popped back up on our radar,” he elaborates. “You can’t send someone else?” You inquire, your lips turning down into a frown. “I’m afraid not,” Tony sounds apologetic as he responds. “I need all hands on deck for this mission. I’m even pulling Steve out of retirement.” Tony winks at you. “Luckily for you,” he continues, “This mission requires us to stay at one of the fanciest hotels in Río.” Tony glances at his watch before adding “I need you two in the briefing room by eight am tomorrow so we can go over the details before we depart. Until then, go rest Y/N.” You take a deep breath and nod as Bucky agrees.

As you finally enter your shared room, Bucky jokingly says “We should have snuck in through the back way.” “It’s fine,” you tell him dejectedly. “Tony would have found another way to contact us. It is what it is.” Your long bath would have to wait.

As you rush to take a quick shower, Bucky returns to the kitchen to make you something to eat. When he comes back, you scarf down the leftovers as Bucky takes his turn in the bathroom. By the time you’re finished, Bucky is all ready for bed. While you brush your teeth, he takes the opportunity to climb into bed and check his phone. When you walk out of the bathroom, you can’t help but take a minute to admire your boyfriend. Although he looks very attractive sitting in bed shirtless, your heart flutters at the peaceful look on his face. Bucky has been through so much, but with you, he��s totally at ease.

You’re broken out of your reverie by Bucky’s soft voice. “Hey,” he says with a gentle smile. “C’mere, doll.” You crawl into bed and let Bucky pull you into his arms. As you lay your head on his chest, Bucky idly traces random patterns onto your back. Just as you’re starting to drift off, his voice pulls you back. “How are you feeling about the mission tomorrow?” “Honestly,” you drowsily respond. “If Tony is okay with giving us all the details the day of, it should be pretty easy.” Bucky hums in agreement. “Why?” you continue. “You’re not worried about it, are you?” “Oh, no!” Bucky denies. “I just wanted to make sure you aren’t worried about it since you aren’t getting a break.” “I’ll be fine,” you say, pretending to be annoyed. “If my boyfriend will be quiet so I can sleep.” Bucky laughs and kisses your forehead. “Okay, okay!” he yields to your teasing. “Good night, sweetheart.” As you start to fall asleep, you sleepily respond. “Good night Buckaroo. I love you.” Just before you drift into unconsciousness, you hear Bucky’s quiet voice. “I love you too, doll.”

The next morning, when you arrive in the briefing room, Tony is too chipper for eight in the morning. While you would rather be in bed, he seems as if he’s already had two cups of coffee (at least). Bucky appears to be neither tired, nor overly energetic, while everyone else falls somewhere in between.

“Antonio Silva is the guy we’re looking for,” Tony begins by showing everyone a picture of the man you need to find. “He is originally from Campinas, Brazil.” Tony takes a moment to pull up a picture of the map. “Based on our intell, he is planning on making a sale tonight in São Paulo.” “You said he has stolen tech?” you inquire. Steve takes the opportunity to speak up. “He actually worked for SHIELD before it fell. Well, hydra technically.” He turns to Natasha. “Did you see his name anywhere in the files you released?” Nat shakes her head. “No. I don’t think he was important enough to have in the files.” “I guess that explains why he turned on them and stole tech,” Sam laughs. “Either way,” Tony directs everyone’s attention back to the mission briefing. “He’s planning on selling to black market weapons dealers at the ten year anniversary gala of the hotel, and we need to stop the sale, arrest Silva, and capture the weapons dealers.” Tony pulls up a map of the hotel. “Steve will be disguised as a bartender, and Sam and I will be flying above the hotel, should anything go south. Y/N and Barnes, you two will be disguised as a mob boss and his wife looking to purchase some weapons. As soon as you make contact, make the arrest. Natasha, I want you floating around the room taking inventory of the weapons dealers in the room. A team of agents will be joining us to assist with taking people into custody should they not be compliant. Since Silva has the weapons in storage somewhere, as long as we have him and the dealers in custody, taking back the weapons should be easy. We just need the guy who knows where they are. Does anyone have any questions?” A series of no’s are heard as everyone responds. “Then everyone go pack, and be ready for the quinjet to take off in an hour.”

The flight is relatively quiet, interrupted only by Sam giving out some last minute instructions. However, as soon as the jet lands, everyone is thrown into go mode.

By the time you make it to the hall where the celebration is being held, the party is in full swing. You watch Natasha silently slip into the room in total spy mode. She glances over at you and nods slightly for you and Bucky to make your entrance. You make your way to the bar for the next few minutes as you watch Nat float around the room.

After about ten minutes, she walks up to the bar and asks Steve for a drink, discreetly informing you that all of the weapons dealers are here. Steve signals for all of the agents to fall into place as you and Bucky turn to approach Silva. Before you make it to where Silva is, he takes one look at Bucky and bolts. That’s when all hell breaks loose. Agents start drawing their guns left and right, while the dealers begin pulling out their weapons to fight back. As the gunfire starts, Tony and Sam join the fight, shield flying, while Bucky takes off after Silva. As soon as you know that they’ll be fine without you, you take off after Bucky. Once Bucky and Silva are in your line of sight, you can tell that Bucky is struggling. It’s apparent that Silva has found some way to disable Bucky’s vibranium arm. As Bucky does his best to fight one handed, Silva punches him in the nose before pulling out two knives. Before you can reach them, you watch in horror as Silva thrusts a knife into Bucky’s thigh, while slicing at his throat with the other knife. Bucky barely dodges the second blade, but not before the tip catches his collar bone.

As soon as you get to them, you tackle Silva to give Bucky the chance to reset his arm. You’re able to block a few of Silva’s attempts to stab you, and kick the knives out of his hands before Bucky joins the fight again.

When it’s apparent that you and Bucky have the upper hand again, Silva pauses. “I really didn’t want to do this to you Barnes, but you left me no choice.” Before you have time to wonder what Silva is talking about, he continues.

“Sputnik.”

Before the word is even out of his mouth, Bucky goes rigid and keels over. As he collapses, your whole world collapses with him. Shock, confusion, and panic roll through you as Steve arrives just in time to handle Silva. You rush to Bucky’s side, and as you find his steady pulse, your anxious heart settles just a little. There is chaos all around you, but you don’t have time to care as you focus on Bucky. As soon as Silva and the dealers are in custody, Sam and Steve help carry Bucky back to your hotel room. After they leave, you take the opportunity to pull out your first aid supplies. Just as you’re finishing collectiving everything you need, Bucky begins to regain consciousness.

“What happened?” His confusion is evident, even in his groggy state. “I’m not entirely sure,” you tell him, hesitantly. “Silva said a word and it was like it just flipped your off switch.” Bucky stays silent as you carefully help him sit up. “I need to clean your knife wounds,” you say gently. “Which means we need to get you out of your tactical gear.” Bucky helps you undress him to the best of his current ability, but he seemingly can’t let the situation pass without playfully making light of what’s happening. “You know, this would be a whole lot more romantic if you lit a few candles.” You snort in response and reply, “It would be a whole lot more romantic if you weren’t bleeding on the sheets.”

Once Bucky is stripped to just his boxers, you help him lean back against the headboard. Bucky silently watches as you pull out the butterfly bandages and antiseptic wipes. You’ve done this so many times that you don’t even bother to tell Bucky that it might sting. He knows the drill, but that doesn’t stop you from doing your best to be gentle. During his seventy years of being tortured and brainwashed, too many people have been rough with him and have treated him harshly. You know he’s not fragile, but you can’t help but pretend that each gentle touch will replace each bad memory of painful touches. Bucky doesn’t flinch as you wipe the cut on his thigh with the wipe. He simply watches as you move to apply the butterfly bandages in the absence of stitches. You wrap the cohesive bandage over the wound and around Bucky’s thigh, but you both know it really doesn’t matter. His wounds will stitch themselves together within a day or two anyway. As you move up to clean the cut just above his left collarbone, your eyes trace the marred scars where metal meets flesh. After you clean and bandage the cut, you let your fingers lightly trail over the scars. You follow the trail of your fingers with soft kisses before looking up to meet Bucky’s eyes. The way he’s looking at you could only be described as adoration, and he gently grabs the back of your neck to bring you in for a kiss. The kiss is soft, but no less toe curling. Like Bucky is using the kiss to convey the way he feels, without knowing how to put those feelings into words. When you break apart, you’re reminded that you need to tend to the small cuts and bruises on his face. You wipe the blood off and apply the antiseptic onto some of the smaller cuts before moving on to the bridge of Bucky’s nose. After cleaning the wound, you smile slightly as you run your finger down his nose. The action makes Bucky scrunch his nose slightly, and you laugh lightly at his reaction. The silence is comfortable and you’re both at ease with each other enough to not always require words.

You help Bucky settle into the bed before cleaning up the first aid supplies and moving to the bathroom to get ready for bed.

As you finish up in the bathroom and climb into bed, Bucky breaks the lingering silence. “I’m not sure what happened earlier.” You can hear the concern in his voice. “I thought Shuri removed all the trigger words, but apparently there was a fail safe buried deep in my head.” You ponder his words before responding. “We can start looking into it tomorrow. I can call Shuri and see if she has time for us to go see her.” “For right now,” you continue, “let’s just rest.” Bucky nods before tilting your chin up so your lips can meet. He kisses you softly and slowly before pulling away. “I love you.” He tells you with conviction, like he doesn’t know what might happen tomorrow. “I love you too, James Buchanan. Whatever happens, we’ll figure it out together.” Bucky smiles slightly while pulling you closer to him. You may not have all the answers, but you have each other. As you both drift off to sleep, that’s enough.

#kas9kwc #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x female reader

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equestrianwritingsstuff · 3 years

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In recognition of 200 followers.....

I composed a list of 200 hero x villain dialogue prompts for you guys to ask me or reblog it and ask your own followers or if you take inspiration.

Thank you so much! It means a whole lot!

1. "I wish I had longer to love you."

2. "Sometimes being the greatest is being the worse."

3. "I will kill you if you die on me."

4. "Bury me... under a willow tree... with tulips and lilies to blossom in the spring and a small stream to keep me company."

5. "Villains aren't capable of love; yet, here I am crying over your grave."

6. "The kitten's name is Max."

7. "I'm going to get a beer."

8. "There is only one way to kill me, but you could never muster the strength to pull through."

9. "I'm dizzy with love for you."

10. "Hero, you are drunk not a toddler."

11. "I pledge to serve you willingly, butthead."

12. "Ride the waves with me." "You are a mermaid, no thanks."

13. "Stay awake for me; it's only a little farther."

14. "I can't carry you!"

15. "He isn't much, but we'll make do."

16. "I WANT TO SEE HER! LET ME SEE HER PLEASE. Please..."

17. "George Washington never told a fib, and I am greater than him, so trust me, Hero, when I say I am telling the truth."

18. "Eggs and butter make dough, knives and guns make death."

19. "You are insane."

20. "The bomb is going off in twenty seconds, Hero. Run now. I-I'm going to stop it."

21. "What is love?"

22. "I don't get the function of hugs."

23. "Mentally I'm good, but physically..."

24. "I only wished for happiness from that genie. I guess it was evil."

25. "Break him, shatter him, destroy him."

26. "Sing with me."

27. "Villain you are touch starved, not dying."

28. "What the heck did you do to your hair." "What? You don't like it?" "It looks like my cat's litterbox."

29. "Don't give me hope."

30. "I am not a disease or a parasite. I am a human. I am one of those millions you swore to protect."

31. "Kiss, marry, kill?" "Kill, kill, kill."

32. "You created me."

33. "Villain don't you dare pass out."

34. "I like the look of blood on you, compliments your eyes."

35. "I kinda dropped Hero through space."

36. "Power exhaustion sucks."

37. "Time to save the world. Yay!" *says in sarcasm*

38. "Let me feed you Hero."

39. "You do not have AC?!"

40. "Villain you have a fever."

41. "Am I drunk?"

42. "Movies. Nine o'clock. Don't be late."

43. "Lemme grab a beer and we are good to go."

44. "Don't. Look. At. Me."

45. "He just had his wisdom teeth out sooo." "How bad can it be? Villain has been shot with twenty tranq darts at one and didn't pass out... immediately anyway, took a good twenty minutes." "Well, you see-" "THE KITTEN IS TRYING TO KILL ME!!!!!"

46. "She needs surgery."

47. "It's a panic attack..." "KISS HIM!"

48. "Blood, gore, madness... this was made for me."

49. "Quit drooling on me and sit up."

50. "There's only one bed."

51. "He looks so cute when he sleeps."

52. "Of all the places to live, you had to choose a heavily fortified medieval castle two thousand years in the past?"

53. "You are a peacock Hero."

54. "Let's see who will drown first. You or me. One, two, three... let's go!"

55. "I wasn't always like this."

56. "Madness is for geniuses, not for me."

57. "It's just a sedative that's going to make you nice and docile."

58. "He's out." "Good, let him rest, villainy is hardwork."

59. "I love her, but she doesn't love me."

60. "If I had a choice to save you or me, I'd pick me."

61. "Gag her."

62. "They aren't made for this, give them mercy."

63. "Talk now or she dies."

64. "Broken ribs, broken jaw, broken arm... are you sure you want me to continue." "No." "Then tell me your name."

65. "Get me some thread and a needle. Just don't touch me."

66. "The police are coming."

67. "Tell me where she is. TELL ME WHERE IS SHE OR I WILL SLASH YOUR THROAT AND TOSS YOU IN THE SEWER!!!!!"

68. "I love you." "I don't."

69. "Hug me just one last time."

70. "Villain hey hey hey. Calm down. You've been in a pretty bad accident."

71. "They won't be able to walk again."

72. "Tell me... just tell if they made it."

73. "Can't you just poof me another arm?"

74. "If you saved all of them, you can save me."

75. "I'm really tired..."

76. "Sleep. I will stay with you."

77. "She is sixteen years old." "All musicians start young." "This isn't a concert, this is life. Stop ruining it."

78. "He"s been in an accident." "Where?" "Five minutes away from your place."

79. "I wish he wasn't unconscious, so I could talk to him. So I could thank him."

80. "It's been four months now. I have came everyday and, uh, I dunno what to say. Hero, I need you to wake up. I can't function knowing you are right here."

81. "I have a date." "Hmm with who?" "Supervillain." "When and where honey?"

82. "Shhhhhhh. Be quiet. We are still being hunted."

83. "Desert?" "What are you trying to do? Kill me?"

84. "I hate you. I hate you. I hate you. I hate you." "I know, I know dear and I so sorry, but I need you to help me. I need you to help them."

85. "Villain just sleep. Allow the drugs to take you under. Don't fight it, don't resist... just sleep. In the morning, we will be safe."

86. "Being lost in the woods isn't ideal."

87. "An injection of valium will do it."

88. "There's no anesthesia."

89. "Wouldn't it be great if we never met each other?"

90. "Bless you." "I didn't sneeze." "Yeah right. Now go sit down, you're sick."

91. "It's called insomnia you dim-wit."

92. "Join me and we can be great."

93. "You didn't bring me here for the cake." "No, dear, but you are so gullible. I brought you here for a sacrifice." "My life?" "Why yes."

94. "I don't know. I never had someone collapse on my doorstep before."

95. "I have nothing to lose. No family, no friends, just my meaningless life."

96. "That's my daughter, not the villain's... so give me her back before I rip your eyes out."

97. "How long was I out for?!" "Ten minutes, but you were drifting. I don't think you had that good of rest." "Oh, I thought I was asleep for hours."

98. "I know, I know you are going to hate me after this, but trust me when I say it's for the best."

99. "I know everything about you."

100. "I think narcissism is contagious because after watching you for a couple hours, I think I may have developed a little crush on the mirror..."

101. "What did you give me?"

102. "Is she screams, I'm going to scream, and then we are going to die."

103. "No fighting today, my cat just died."

104. "How hard did you punch me?"

105. "Not gonna lie, being delirious was epic."

106. "I am cooking for you. You aren't my servant, so stop thinking it."

107. "My old masters made me into a weapon and called me Villain, but if you desire a lapdog I am going to need to be refurnished to fit your needs."

108. "What is his deal?" "I think he's just crazy."

109. "Love is not what I had in mind when I agreed to go on a date with you."

110. "Hugs are overrated."

111. "Are you too hot or too cold?" "Both."

112. "I wish we could turn back time."

113. "I lost the game." "What do you mean? Hero is dead." "Precisely."

114. "Make a wish." "That you live."

115. "Villain has been acting exceptional! Today we granted them a break from the machine. Go ahead Hero and take him for some ice cream."

116. (Sleepy murmurs) "Don't go. I neeeed you." "Yeah yeah I know Villain."

117. "Villain was the one who hurt me, not Hero."

118. "Supervillain is in danger!"

119. "If everyone is scared of me, I might as well be alone."

120. "My head is killing me."

121. "Don't call an ambulance. Just... hold me."

122. "You don't have to do this. It's going to hurt you more than me." "Anything for you dearest, anything at all."

123. "Hero, go wash your hands before dinner."

124. "You have PTSD?" "I don't know?"

125. "I have soap in my eyes!' "Rinse it out." "Mm no I'm permanently mortally blinded." "Uh huh."

126. "We need to cuddle to keep warm."

127. "Take care of them for me, will you?"

128. "When I'm gone, promise to tell my mother, please."

129. "Drug him and then bring him to me."

130. "Superheroes are for children. In all honesty, we are all villains."

131. "Oh my gosh, Hero, what happened?" "Poisoned."

132. "Wouldn't it be nice?" "I don't fancy prosthetics."

133. "Just shut up and listen!"

134. "There is a memorial parade for Hero tomorrow. They asked you to lead it."

135. "She turned it around... at the end."

136. "I wish that he understood how much I care for him."

137. "Civilian! He fell asleep in my lap last night, like totally zooted. It was so cute, but also very tempting. I stuck a french fry up his nose." "Wow. Did he wake up then?" "Yeah, I am sorta kidnapped right now..."

138. "The book, the sword... all pieces of the puzzle huh." "No, darling, all pieces of my game."

139. "Their death is my fault! Not your's, but mine, so quit trying to make me feel better."

140. "Once upon a time-" "Oh please, not another fairytale."

141. "If only it was that easy."

142. "We are stuck in a maze, how can you be so joyful?"

143. "Celebrate Hero, eat your cake, party into the night... but just know, I will be back."

144. "Call 911!" "Why?" "I stubbed my toe."

145. "Your jawline looks like it was gauzed over in lard." "It looks better than your hay for hair."

146. "You're my best friend." "Villain? Are you on drugs?"

147. "Lay him there and leave him. Let the rats dine on him."

148. "The point of the cow suit?" "Oh, uh, I was at a Halloween parade. You know, for children."

149. "I-i never wanted to hurt you." "I know, I wanted you to, so I allowed it."

150. "Favorite movie?" "Your death." "Ooo never heard of it, let's watch it." "*groans* Oh my gosh, you are stupid."

151. "Being a flutist is my only superpower. And being modest apparently."

152. "Your head will join my collection if yoi don't watch out."

153. "Hey, hey! Wake up, buddy. It's just a nightmare."

154. "Meh head hurts." "Yeah, you hit it pretty hard."

155. "Let's go for a ride." "On that yellow miniature school bus?" "It's a ranger you idiot."

156. "No painkillers, no bandages, perfect environment for infection to settle... I'm just gonna leave you here Villain."

157. "I save you and this is how you repay me? A prison?"

158. "What are you doing?" "Climbing a tree? No Hero, I am breaking into your house to kidnap you."

159. "I formally apologize."

160. "Of all places, Hero, you had to teleport us to a desert. A DESERT."

161. "Supervillain won't stop unless we team up." "I don't think our alliance will stop them, I think it'll just make them angrier."

162. "Stop singing or I will blow this place until even the last atom is broken into itty-bitty molecules!" "That... that is scientifically impossible."

163. "I'm a genius! Yippee!"

164. "Life isn't perfect and nor is your morals."

165. "Control yourself before you kill everyone around you."

166. "Say your goodbyes."

167. "Of all the ways I've died, drowning was by far the nicest."

168. "Love the collar. Is it for fashion purposes?" "Uh, um, uh, er, no?"

169. "You look lonely. Want some hot coco?"

170. "It is negative million out there and you expect me to come in toasty warm after fixing your power?"

171. "Are you sick?" "Yeh." "Come on in then."

172. "Civilian, don't even bother trying to save him."

173. "We have a breach!"

174. "What makes a villain's life less important than your's?"

175. "Enjoy your soup." "You poisoned it." "And you're delusional, eat up."

176. "I hate 99% of the population." "According to a meme I found, you are therefore a cat."

177. "Don't overuse your powers."

178. "This is just an unfortunate event."

179. "You look so cute when you are sleepy and barely conscious."

180. "His fever is rising."

181. "Save her, leave me. I'll-i'll get out of this somehow."

182. "Sometimes self-sacrifice isn't noble, it's selfish."

183. "You are so funny that I need my inhaler to kill you with." "That sentence was so discombobulated that I am leaving."

184. "Just for your information, I hate oranges but love grapes."

185. "Walking down the stairs shouldn't be a momental effort." "You broke both your legs."

186. "You just destroyed my life's work, don't expect me to give you a huge bear hug."

187. "Is it true that you have telekinesis?" "Yes, why?" "Go steal me a donut."

188. "You are so incredibly touch starved, Villain." "Mmm." "Tired? Go ahead and sleep, I'm here."

189. "This is for your own good, I promise."

190. "I'm cold."

191. "I don't want to move and you can't make me."

192. "I AM RETIRED! YOU DON'T NEED TO CONTINUE TO SEND ME PAMPHLETS OF THE HOTTEST HERO OF THE YEAR!"

193. "He's unconscious." "That tired, huh." "No, he passed out from blood loss."

194. "I want a kitten."

195. "I'm no scared of you, so stop acting like I am."

196. "He isn't dangerous, just scared."

197. "They won't be going anywhere for a long, long time."

198. "Hero? Hero? Oh my goodness, please wake up."

199. "Life is too short for pleasures."

200. "I hope you are happy, in the end."

#heros and villains #ask game #200 followers #thank you so much

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abbatoirablaze · 2 years

Text

Queens Of The Mayans, Nevaeh, Chapter 8

Word Count: 4.3k

Warnings: crude language, mentions of loss of custody, mentions of drugs, violence, mentions of past toxic relationship/attitudes, blood, mentions of guns/knives.

"I'm gonna need the both of you to calm the fuck down right now," another voice added in. I heard the hammer being cocked, and I looked to the door to see Tranq at the door, gun aimed at me, “Come on, princess…don’t go crazy on us now.”

I smirked.

Of course, Che just had to bring the whole crew with him. I looked around for signs of their president.

That was when I realized Riz and I were in a Mexican standoff. He'd had his knife pointed at me, and I'd pulled out my gun on him.

Unfortunately, this was usually one of two ways Riz and I ended up if we were in a room together for too long.

"Hey Hank. How's it going?"

"Jesus fucking Christ, every time you guys see each other," another voice added in, "I knew that you were taking too long, Che."

Bishop came into view, and he told his good old bulldog to lower his gun. Tranq obeyed and Bishop sat down on a chair in front of us.

"Can I help you?"

He smirked, "well if you're gonna fucking shoot him, do it already."

"Bish."

"Oh this lover's quarrel is a long time coming," Bishop laughed, egging on the situation as he slid a cigarette between his thin lips, "every time they fucking see each other they fight over the kid, then the weapon foreplay starts, and then end up fucking on the bar. I just want to be able to see the show this time around."

"You're disgusting Bishop."

He smirked, and I lowered my gun, "yeah. That's the reaction I was going for."

"What the hell?" Hank asked, looking around the room.

"What he said," Michael joined in, looking at the president, “you were gonna let her shoot me, Bishop?”

"She wouldn't have shot him," Bishop said, waving both men off, “if anything you know she would have fucked your brains out and left you cunt drunk the next few days, Riz.”

"I don't know," Che chuckled, "she usually only threatens to break a beer bottle over his head if he doesn't leave. The gun is new."

"So is this a fucking party now, or what?" I groanedlooking at the officers of the club, "I was trying to close up so I could get home to my son."

"I already asked Dasia to stay at your place for the night," Bishop said, lighting up his cigarette. He took a few short puffs, then began to ash on my bar, "we've got some business to discuss."

"Che told me," I said, referencing how I'd been telling him about Johnny, "how long have you two been here? And don't say just as long as Michael."

"We just popped in a few minutes ago to see how it was going," Bishop admitted with a shrug, "Got the prospect making a stop to pick some things up, but what kind of man would I be if I didn't stop to see my favorite bar keep?"

"One that leaves me the fuck alone."

"That's not nice," he said, clucking his tongue at me, "you know, I thought you'd gotten past all this animosity for me and the club... Che always speaks so nicely about your visits. Says you still hang out with Aayana. Why don't you treat us like that, sweetheart? Huh? I mean, you used to be so sweet to us when we visited at the Ariza house…for a while I thought we were all gonna be one big happy family. "

"I was nice because it was my job, but then I got to know you guys," I shrugged. Then I looked at the father of my son, "and when he shows up...and it all goes to hell. Because he thinks it's fun to stick his dick in everything."

"Not everything."

"Can someone say sexual tension?" Che laughed, looking between me and Riz."you know you two are always like cats and dogs until I leave you two alone in a room. Then you go at it like rabbits."

"Well it is the only thing he's good for."

"Ouch," Riz said, holding a hand over his heart, "you know I'm good for just more than that."

"I don't care about your relationship with Riz," Bishop said, cutting us off before we could get any further, "you know that I sent the boys down here to get some intel on Coco. We got a few ends that don't make sense."

"Found out some interesting stuff already."

"Really?" Hank asked, "anything not in his file?"

"Young Coco here was named such because of his love for the cereal, not because he's a fucking psycho like we've been hearing."

"I didn't say Johnny wasn't psycho," I said, correcting Che, "Just said that his nickname originated differently from what you knew."

"And that he was in love with you at a young age and had a stutter."

"Kid had a stutter?"

"Has," I said correcting Bishop, "at least, last I knew. Get him nervous enough and it comes out every time."

"Hmm," he said thoughtfully, "what else?"

"Well, you fine gentlemen so rudely interrupted just as she was telling me Coco professed his love to her when he was 12 after she got shot."

"You were shot before?"

"Yes Michael," I said angrily, "I've been shot before. And stabbed. You've asked about my scars...but in all fairness you've seen so many women naked, you probably don't remember. Since my body is suddenly new to you is there anything else you would like to know about it?"

"Are you getting as turned on as I am?" he asked.

"You're an ass," I groaned, turning away from him. I reached under the bar and grabbed my jacket, throwing it on, "I'm leaving. You hyenas need to get the fuck out."

Che stood up and held an arm out, "will you at least come back to the clubhouse so that we can discuss the matter more?"

"I told you no, damn it. Does no one listen around here?"

"When do I get to leave?"

The men had managed to coax me out of the bar, and to the clubhouse at the scrapyard. I was now sitting at their heavy oak table as Michael stood at the door. While this wasn’t a typical thing, as no one outside the club usually was allowed to sit at the table in templo, I wasn’t necessarily basking in it’s glory.

"After you tell us more about Coco." Bishop said simply, "none of his shit adds up. He was a gang banger, who went to the military, who then went back to banging. What's his deal?"

"Like I said I don't know Coco that well," I lied, “we just grew up together.”

"Cut the bullshit, Nevaeh," Michael said in a disgusted tone, “you were just as much in love with im as he was with you.”

I glared at my ex-boyfriend, "this isn't your business, Riz. Why don't you go somewhere else?"

"This is club business sweetheart," he chuckled dryly, "that makes it my business."

"She's right," Bishop said quickly looking back to the club’s secretary, "all the men get a vote after his year as a prospect, but right now only me, Tranq, and Che need to know what we're letting in our door. You may be an officer, Riz, but this shit is need to know. You were just the leverage to get her through the doors."

Michael continued to glare at me but obeyed his 'president.' After he closed the door Bishop's attention turned back to me. I smiled, "thank you."

"Don't go thanking me yet, sweetheart," he chuckled as he lifted his beer to his lips, "you've still got quite a story to tell us about Mr. Coco."

"What happened after he killed that teenager?" Che asked.

"I don't know," I admitted, "there was something in his eyes that I hadn't seen before that night. They looked empty when he pulled that trigger. Like he genuinely didn't care about another human life. He began running around with Raul, Chico, and Pablo full time."

"So you lost touch with him then?"

I nodded at Hank, feeling nervous. I didn't want to be talking about Johnny. I didn't want to relive the hell those next few years had been to me, "I really don't want to talk about this."

“I don’t care.”

“I’d hate for you to think that I give a damn about what you want, Bishop.”

"And I'd really hate for you to lose custody of your son."

My eyes snapped up to Bishop, "what the fuck are you talking about?"

"Keep talking about Coco."

I gritted my teeth, "I told you. After that night we lost touch. I avoided him like the fucking plague because I saw him as an animal. What were you talking about? Me losing Johnny?"

"Riz has parental rights still," Bishop said smoothly, "just be honest with us about Coco and you and your kid Johnny will have nothing to worry about."

I kicked myself out of the seat and made my way over to him, "what the hell gives you the right, huh? Thinking you can fucking threaten me?"

Hank grabbed me and held me at arms length from Bishop who was smiling, "listen, I'm not saying anything is going to happen princessa. I'm just telling you that you don't hold all the cards, so stop acting all high and mighty and give me the god damned information that I’m looking for."

"FUCK YOU."

His smile fell as he wiped away my spit from his face. He stood up so that he was in front of me, "now listen here, Nevaeh. I've been really fucking lenient with you. I told Riz to back off so you could have your space. We protected your bar from the gangs your boyfriend won't take care of. We're really good to you. You understand me? We let you leave Vickies for christ sakes. But if I find out you are hiding something for this fucking cholo gang banger because your pussy won't stop drooling over him decades later, I won't just kill you. I'll fucking make sure you get your just desserts. I'll make sure we take your fucking kid away. And turn your whore ass into a junkie like your big sisters. You wanna end up like your sisters? Because you'll think they got it good. No one will know where you are. Your ravaged body will be buried in the desert in pieces. Do you understand me?"

By now he had me by the throat, up against a wall.

"I SAID DO YOU FUCKING UNDERSTAND?"

I nodded, tears coming to my eyes. He dropped his hands away from me, and I crumpled to the ground, sobbing.

"Bish."

"No," he replied as Che looked at him from his seat, "I let her get too far on her leash. All of us have. She needs put back in her place."

"Too far, boss."

He turned to Hank, "if you can't stomach the shit I gotta deal with maybe I should fine a new sergeant at arms. Huh? I shouldn't have had to do that shit. If you did your job right, she'd know her place."

"You didn't need to bring the kid into this."

"I'm not lying," I said, looking at him, "the next time I talked to Johnny or Raul after that was when I was 14. Johnny had just knocked up a junkie. He was 17 and working full time for Raul. Dropped out of high school. My mom moved us out of the apartment complex after I was shot. I'd seen him from time to time, but we never interacted."

"The next time you saw him...why?"

"It was a few days after my 14th birthday. I found out my mom had been sneaking birth control to me for a few months. My older sisters told me it was time to join the family business," I said, feeling sick to my stomach, "I went to a party that my brother had going on wanting to tell them about it. Hoping they'd do something. Instead, I lost my virginity to Johnny because I didn't want to lose it to a random guy working the corner."

"None of this fucking matters," Bishop growled at me, “you’re giving me bullshit that I don’t need, Nevaeh.”

"That's what I've been trying to tell you," I sighed, wiping the tears from my blotchy cheeks, "nothing I know about Johnny should matter to any of you. I don't know why you're pushing me so much."

"He's fucking weird, that's why,” Bishop said as his eyes searched the ground. He looked like he was deep in thought and something didn’t add up, “something is missing with that kid…”

I felt a little bit of rage build up in me, but it was Che that stepped forward, "if you don't want me to sponsor him, I won't Bish. But I think he'd be an asset to the Mayans."

"RIZ!"

Heavy footfalls clicked in the back of the room, and then the heavy stain-glass door opened, "yeah Bish?"

"Get her the fuck out of here," he spat looking away from me, "we're done with her."

Michael looked at me and I started walking towards him as he opened the door a little wider for me. It wasn't until we were outside that I spoke to him, "I'll walk."

"No fucking way, he laughed, shaking his head, "I'm not gonna let you walk home. You live closer to my mom and the bar. That's miles."

"I'll be fine, Michael," I said, dismissively, "I don't want or need anything from you."

"Hey," he pleaded. He grabbed my arm, and I turned to look at him. There was pain in his eyes, "why do you have to be like this with me? I'm trying Nevaeh...I really am."

"I don't want you to try."

"You can't even be civil to me?" he asked pitifully, "not even for Johnny's sake?"

I softened.

I had automatically written him off after Johnny and I moved into my place last year. But we were getting to the point where my toddler son had started asking 'where is daddy?' and it was becoming increasingly hard not to tell him.

The look in Michael's eyes let me know he was being sincere. That he was trying for real, and not just to get on my good side.

Maybe he wanted to be a part of our lives. Not just for the club or his mother's sake.

"We used to get along great," he said reminiscing of when we first got together, "we spent all the time we had together."

"We did not," I laughed not able to push away the memories. There was a small smile peeking out from my frown as I began calling him out, "hell I remember it much differently. You’d come see me, yeah…but you had your own life."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," I said, taking a step towards him, "You had a habit of breaking the new girls that came to Vickie's in. All the girls told me about you...and your mom tried setting us up even before I had any idea of who you even were. Then she quizzed me all week about the Mayans."

"Yeah," he chuckled, "I was so mad at her. She always tried to set me up with some girl or another. It always pissed me off."

"She just wanted you to be happy, Michael," I said, cupping his face in my hands. I stared into my exes deep brown eyes. Those eyes that at one point had been a comfort to me. Ones that I loved, and I sighed, brushing some of the hair that'd fallen into his face out of the way, "you know that. She just wanted you to have a good woman in your life and be taken care of."

"And she found you," he admitted softly in response, "and you gave me an amazing relationship, and a beautifullittle boy."

"He does want a relationship with you, you know?"

"I didn't want to step on your toes. Ever since we split things were really rough between us. Your brother told me I should back off, " he sighed. You frowned, "the guy-the guys, they told me to give you your space. Said that you just needed some time t-"

"Give me a ride home."

"What?" he asked, "are you being serious? I thought you said you wanted to walk…"

I let go of him and moved towards his bike, nodding.

"I'm not going to say it again, Ariza." I laughed. He smirked and walked over, then held out his helmet to me. I grinned and took it, thinking about the first time I'd been on the back of his bike. But that was months into knowing him, when we'd had our first real date.

"Remember the first time you were on the back of my bike?"

"I was just thinking about that," I said as he'd gotten on, “it was the second best night of my life.”

“The second?” he asked. I nodded, and he smiled, “I think I know the first.”

“You should,” you said playfully, “you were there, after all.”

He pulled off his kutte, then his jacket and handed it to me, "here. It's cold at night."

I shook my head, "no."

He tried arguing with me, but realized it was useless. I wouldn't take his jacket. Out of my peripherals I could see one of his 'brothers' peeking through the curtains. He shrugged and put his jacket and kutte back on.

I could only imagine how they would treat him tomorrow. They'd probably ask about us...joke that we were fucking again. Especially since he offered me his jacket. I climbed on back and wrapped my arms around him. He started it up and we were off. I felt the cool air on the back of my neck, and I shivered.

"You okay?"

I nodded against his back, "Yeah. Just cold."

"We'll be home in a few."

I nodded again, allowing myself to melt into him as much as possible. But soon we were at my place. He cut the engine off, and walked me up to the door, "you have the house to yourself tonight. But Dasia will probably be around tomorrow morning to drop Johnny off."

"Okay."

"Do you think it'd be okay if I came by?" he asked. He had a hopeful glint in his eyes, "I really do want to get to know him, Nev."

I bit my lip. Was it a good idea? What if he lost interest? Then I'd have to explain that to Johnny.

"Okay."

He lit up, "really?"

I nodded, and he wrapped me up in a hug so quickly I didn't know what was going on. Once he lifted me in the air he started spewing out random sentences in Spanish about being happy, and that he would see his baby boy soon. I couldn't help but feel something.

"Michael?"

"Sorry," he said, putting me down. He took a few steps back from me and tried to compose himself, "so I uh-I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Do you wanna stay a little longer?" I asked, "a lot has changed since you last saw him."

He nodded and I reached into the fridge, grabbing the both of us a beer.

"Can I ask you something without you getting defensive?" he asked. I cracked a beer and placed it in front of him, nodding my head. He took a sip and placed the beer back in between us, his hands playing with the label, "how the hell did we manage to get so fucking far away from where we were? I mean…we had it really good, right?"

I sighed.

It wasn't all Michael's fault. Sure, he was a man-whore, but I knew that going into the relationship.

"I don't know," I admitted, not wanting to fight with the father of my son. I cracked my own beer and took a long swig. This time I looked at my bottle, unable to meet his gaze, "I guess we just weren't meant to be."

"I did love you," I heard him whisper. I looked up and he was staring at me. There was a pain in his eyes that I'd never noticed, "I loved you with every part of me, Nev."

"Sometimes love isn't enough," I sighed as I took a seat next to him, "sometimes it takes more."

"Why did you take off before you went into labor?" he asked after a few minutes, "you know I would have given anything to be there. And I always wondered why you left…"

"I know."

"Then why'd you take that away?"

"I guess I wanted you to feel the same pain and loss that I felt," I admitted, ripping at the label that clung to the bottle. I lifted it up and drank until it was empty and then continued to play with the label, "I don't want to talk about this, Michael."

"I do," he said, pushing his bottle away from him, "one day I'm building the crib and shit, getting everything ready, then next thing I know you were gone. Your phone was off, and no one had seen you."

"I know."

"I thought you were dead," he said, raising his voice, "I was so scared that someone took you and him, and you were dead. I was calling hospitals and checking morgues…"

"Michael."

"No," he said, shaking his head, "we've never talked about this, Nev...our son is turning three and you've still never once told me why you ran the hell off and deprived me of seeing him be born."

I felt my knuckles going white as I tried not to break the bottle in my hand, "like I said, "I wanted you to feel what I felt?"

"Well what the fuck did you feel?" he growled, growing louder, "what did you feel? Why did you feel like I fucked you over?"

"BECAUSE YOU DID!" I yelled, unable to keep my cool, "I thought we were fan-fucking-tastic, and the next thing I know you got a phone call while you were in the nursery. Some fucking whore said she was your side piece, and she was knocked up too, okay? I couldn't fucking handle it. There you were, building this crib, and I got angry. And scared. I-"

"Nev," he said, cutting me off. He rushed me and went straight for my hands. I hadn't realized it, but I'd broken the beer bottle and it had cut into my hand good enough to where I'd begun bleeding on the counter, "shit."

"I-"

I didn't know what to say. I wanted to feel the pain, but I just felt numb. I watched Michael, my mouth open ever so slightly as he pulled the glass from my hand, and he fumbled for a rag to put over it. After he found one, he put it over my hand, and I applied enough pressure. I felt his hands on either side of my face as he lifted it and began to wipe away tears that had formed during my little speech.

"Nev, she was lying," he said slowly, "I know who you are talking about...she called again after you left. I'd broken it off with her after I found out you were pregnant, and she wouldn't stop harassing me. She wasn't pregnant. I promise...after we found out about Johnny, I didn't sleep with anyone else. I swear."

My throat felt dry. His thumbs wiped the remnants of the tears and he gave me the softest look I'd ever seen, "Nev...you have to believe me. That's the truth."

My heart broke.

Was he being truthful? What if I'd just asked him about it then and there? Would he and I still be together? Did I deprive Johnny of having a father all these years because I couldn't communicate with Michael?

"Michael, I think you should go," I whispered, looking away from him, "I-I need to think."

"I'm not going anywhere," he said, pulling me into his chest. He kissed my temple and smoothed down my hair. I didn't know what to do. I wanted so desperately to connect to him, to feel him...but I couldn't go down that road. It wouldn't be fair to anyone; not me, him, or Johnny.

"Mich-"

"Shh," he said. I felt his arms go under me, and pick me up bridal style, "come on, baby. Let's go to bed. You need to get some sleep.

"You need to leave," I whispered as he laid me down on my bed, "if Pabl-"

"I'm sleeping on the couch," he said as he tucked me in, "and tomorrow morning I'm gonna see my son...okay?"

"Wait," I pleaded as he started towards the door, "stay in here with me?"

"What about Pablo?"

"I don't care," I whimpered, ignoring my better judgement as I silently begged for him to stay, "I don't want to be alone."

I could hear him sigh, and then he walked around to the foot of the bed. I shifted, and could see him removing his kutte and boots, putting them on an ottoman at the foot of the bed. Then he removed his flannel and jeans, leaving him in an undershirt and his boxers. The bed shifted and soon I was face to face with him again. He got underneath the blankets and his arms wrapped around my midsection. I brushed some hair from his face and then turned around so that he was spooning me.

My breathing slowed after a few minutes, and I felt his breath against my neck. Then he did the one thing I'd always asked him not to do, transporting my mind back to a time when I was younger. He kissed behind my ear and whispered, "mi reina."

Chapter 9

#mayans fx #mayans mc #bishop losa #obispo losa #taza #taza romero #che #che romero #michael ariza #riz #motorcycle clubs

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step-on-me-natasha · 3 years

Text

Blade; chapter 1

summary: Parker "Blade" Wiles, a high ranking SHIELD agent with an aptitude for sharp objects, goes missing. When Blade is found again with a darker and colder demeanor, SHIELD, with the help of The Avengers, are tasked with finding out what happened to their colleague and friend.

OC is ace and uses they/them pronouns

pairing: Natasha Romanoff x OC! reader (Blade)

warnings: knives, dead mom?? if anything else, let me know

*thoughts are in italics*

Dear Journal, it’s Parker, well it’s actually Blade, my therapist said that it would help if I wrote in a diary everyday. I don’t know how this is supposed to help. How is writing in a journal going to help with the fact that my mother just died? I don’t get it. But, here goes nothing I guess.

When I was maybe 9 or 10, I started playing with knives. My mother would always tell me it was dangerous, but there have only been two instances where I got hurt by one. The first time was when I was in high school and I was cutting a carrot for my lunch and I looked away and the knife slipped. It was only the tip of my finger, so does it really count? The second time was last week when some damn HYDRA agent threw a fucking samurai sword at my head and it barely missed my ear. Which by the way, ruined my streak of at least 20 years of not getting cut by a knife. Other than that, nothing bad has really happened.

I guess I never really learned my lesson because now I play with knives for my job. Anyways, I’ll write some more tomorrow.

--Blade

“First entry down. Boom” You say with a slight head nod. Never in a million years would you have thought that you would be writing in a diary, especially not a bright fucking purple one. That’s the best Dr. Lawrence could do? You work with superheroes and play with knives for a living and she thought that a bright purple diary was a good idea? It’s a rhetorical question, it’s definitely not a good idea.

A knock at your door took you out of your trance of staring at this obnoxiously bright diary. Steve pokes his head in, Jesus Christ he’s such a dad, you think.

“Hey there, we got a team briefing in 10. A new HYDRA breakthrough.” He says.

Oh goody. “Alright, thanks Steve.” You stand up and stretch your legs and back out.

“So uh, new hobby?” He says pointing at the journal.

“Oh yeah, totally. Dr. Lawrence said it would help if I wrote my feelings down. I think I'm gonna name it Sheila.”

He nods, “Sheila. Uh... yeah, Sheila suits it”.

The both of you begin the walk down to the briefing room.

“Wait wait wait, HYDRA? I thought we got rid of them when SHIELD collapsed.” You asked.

“They’re rebuilding.”

“Of course they’re fucking rebuilding.” You say with a sigh.

“Nice of you guys to finally join the party.”

“You actually interrupted my therapy sanctioned diary entry for today Tony, so thanks.” He rolled his eyes and scoffed.

“No need for the attitude Blade.” Now it’s your turn to roll your eyes and scoff as you fall into your seat.

“Let's just get this over with, I have better things to do” you mutter.

“....Alrighty,” Steve starts, “with the collapse of SHIELD and consequently HYDRA, what's left of HYDRA went underground. They used and analysed everything they had on physical files. We now know that they are trying to re-created the super soldier serum.”

“Awesome” Bucky grumbles.

“That’s not all,” Steve continued “they are exclusively experimenting on women and children.” The room goes silent.

“Why wouldn’t they re-use the Red Rooms resources then?” You pipe up.

“They didn’t want to draw attention to themselves and what's left of the Red Room is nothing but retired widows who just want a normal life.” Natasha says.

“Including you?” you ask her. “In the future yeah, but not now.” You nod and your eyes linger on her.

“Do we have a location?” Bucky asks.

“Eastern Germany, more specifically East Berlin.” Steve replied. Whose bright idea was it to go back to Germany?

“Alright, suit up everyone, wheels up in 15.” Tony says as everyone begins to leave.

You make your way back to your room to grab your gear and suit up. Ya know, I know that this mission is important but, why do I have to go? I know it's unhealthy to stay holed up in my room but god, I really don’t want to go, you thought to yourself. You sigh and start walking towards the quinjet, grabbing your journal and a pen on the way out. You're the last one to get on, plopping down on a seat in the back. You start writing.

Sup Sheila. I guess writing has kinda distracted me from my poor pathetic self. I’m going on this mission to stop HYDRA. Yep, you heard me right. HYDRA. They’re fucking back. And guess where they are! Germany! FUCKING GERMANY! The audacity. I bet they’re all men. No woman, even a HYDRA agent, would go BACK to Germany. I digress, anyways, I guess this mission could help. I haven’t been in the field since the accident. So maybe this is for the better? I truly don’t know, i’ll let you know when I get back

--Blade

You close your journal and kind zone out. I don’t even know why I’m here. Why couldn't they bring Clint, oh yeah, he fell off the roof trying to fly. What kind of fucking idiot does he think he is? I bet he’s having the time of his life right now. Not having to go on this mission. He’s probably watching shitty sitcom re-runs while eating something dumb, like garlic bread. Mmmmmm, garlic bread. I could eat so much garlic bread right now it’s not even funny. If I could, I would fuck garlic bread, and I DON’T EVEN LIKE SEX. Good thing Wanda’s not here, she would be concerned.

“Hey, you good?” Natasha nudges you and asks.

“About as good as I can be for someone who’s mom just died and is going to stop a rogue Nazi division from the 40s that never really went away.” That is such a lie, I was totally thinking about garlic bread.

“Huh, well, that’s one way to put it.” She says, “Well, if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here”

“Got it, thank you Nat, I really appreciate it.”

Normally when someone says something like “I'm here if you need to talk” and all that other bullshit, it just goes in one ear and out the other. But when Nat says it, it makes you want to believe it. It’s almost comforting. You get up from your seat to grab your blades, and Tony stops you.

“What Tony?”

“Hey, what's with the attitude? I just wanted to say that I upgraded your knives for you. Something nice, ya know. Thought you might need some cheering up.”

“That- that's actually nice. Thank you Tony.”

“They need a little sharpening but, I figured you could do that since it's kinda your thing.”

You chuckle, “Yeah, thank you, again.” I guess you learn something new everyday. Tony isn’t actually a self absorbed douchebag all the time. You start sharpening your swords when someone sits next to you.

“Sweet knives!”

“Thank you Sam, they’re nice, aren’t they” You say glancing at Tony.

“Alright, let's go over the plan.” Steve gathers everyone's attention.

“Sam and Tony, you guys are in the air, make sure nothing goes in or out of the base. Blade and Nat, you two take the front entrance while Bucky and I take the back. It’s not a big base, we need to get in, take what we need and get out as soon as possible. Use your comms if you need something.” As the jet lands, everyone splits up into their designated teams.

“Are you sure you’re okay to go on this mission?” Nat asks. “I mean, you’ve been staring off into space since we took off.”

“I’m gonna be totally honest with you, most, if not the whole time, I was thinking about garlic bread.”

“Why were you thinking about garlic bread?”

“Well, I don’t know, it happens from time to time, I can't stop it.”

“You’re really weird.”

“You’re stuck with it.”

By this time, all teams have left the jet. You and Natasha are nearing the front. Do I still want garlic bread? Yes. I do.

“Please don’t think about garlic bread right now”

“You have very little faith in me, I was thinking about….not garlic bread”

“Mmmhmm, yeah, sure. Just,” she sighs “watch by back and don’t do anything stupid.”

“I don’t do stupid things. The person you should be telling that to is Clint. He fell off the roof for fucks sake! Trying to what? Hmmm?? Trying to fly! Fucking fly!”

He shouldn’t be called Hawkeye anymore. He already got too many bad ideas about trying to be a hawk. We should revoke his superhero name and call him sharpshooter or some shit. No more bird names.

You and Nat enter the base. It’s too dark in here. HYDRA couldn’t afford some lights? Cheap bastards. You’re walking down the darkest hallway known to man, when you hear something.

“You hear that?” You ask.

“Yep, we should probably go check it out.”

“Fuck no! I am sure as hell not doing that! This place gives me American Horror Story: Asylum vibes, and I am not here for it.” Unless Sarah Paulson is there. I would do anything for her.

“Jesus Christ Blade! This is what we are here for!”

“Ughhhhhhh, fine. You go in first though.”

You two go into the room where the noise was heard.

“There’s no one here.”

“no shit Natasha, it’s almost like you have eyes.”

She gave you a pointed look and you sighed and started searching the room.

“What are we looking for again? I was too busy thinking about garlic bread to catch what Steve said”

”Of course you were . We’re looking for any information regarding HYDRA. Weapon plans, base blueprints and info on the winter soldier project.”

*GASP* Buckyyyy….. “Got it, thanks.”

“I'm gonna go find another room, you got this covered?”

“Yup, don’t worry about me, I got this” you give her a thumbs up as she leaves.

You continue to look around the room when you feel a slight breeze.

“That's weird” You say to yourself. You start following where the wind is coming from and find a door.

“Wow, HYDRA could afford a secret door but not lights?” You go through the door to find another empty room.

“Okay, that’s extra weird.” The door closes.

“Oh shit.” you try to open the door but it doesn’t budge. “Hello!” you use your comm but you just hear static.

“Ok well, that’s not good.” you start trying to find a way out until you hear footsteps behind you. OH SHIT, STRAIGHT OUT OF THE HORROR MOVIES. And then the lights cut out.

“Okay, ha ha! Very funny! Making sure the person with the big scary knives can’t see. Well jokes on you! I'm just gonna start swinging! And if I hit something, then well, hopefully it’s HYDRA.” You yell out.

“You are not gonna make it out alive” A voice came from the right of you. You pull out your swords and turn to the right.

You gasp. “You’re a woman!”

“Indeed I am. But, like I said earlier, you’re not making it out of this one, sweetheart”

“Oh honey, they call me Blade for a reason, so you might not make it out alive.”

“I highly doubt that” she said as she hit you upside the head, knocking you out.

A/N: AHHHH! this is my first book/fic and I am very excited! please please please don't be afraid to like or comment, it makes my day when you do!

#natasha romanoff x reader #natasha romanoff fluff #Natasha Romanoff x ace!raeder #natasha romanoff fanfic #natasha x reader #natasha romanoff #Natasha Romanoff x you #black widow x reader #black widow fluff #black widow #black widow x ace!reader #marvel x reader #marvel x ace!reader #Natasha Romanoff imagine #black widow imagine #mcc x reader #mcc x ace!reader

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sweater-daddiesdumbdork · 4 years

Text

Happy Birthday (steve rogers addition)

Summary- Its your birthday! Tonys throwing you a party and Steve is just a bit shy.

A/N- Happy Birthday @what-is-your-backupplan-today! I hope it's a great day and much love always! Thank you for the many hours of laughs we've shared while discussing fics, animals and just a general love for Steeby.

Your arms were hooked through Natashas and Wandas as they rode the elevator down to the lobby of Stark Towers. Tonight though, it wasn't a lobby, but set up with the finest for a birthday party. Your birthday party. “Kiddo, what better place to have it. Let me take care of everything, you just do your thing.” So along with Natasha and Wanda, you did, and the result, fucking stunning. You actually couldn't wait, dressed up nice and it was time to celebrate. The lobby was transformed beautifully. Full bar set up, balloons, streamers. Tony even had a DJ set up with a dance floor. All your friends were there, you were sure to wander around the room to greet everyone, hugs, and laughs were passed.

At the bar a set of blue eyes followed you shyly around the room, Bucky and Sam standing nearby, both remarking how good you looked. “Damn, Katie knows how to Doll herself right up, I almost didn't recognize her.” Sam was remarking, tonight you really did go all out. Black pants, pink shimmer top with a plunging neckline, hair swooped back into an intricate-looking braid that must have taken some time to put together. The look, much to Steve's pleasure was finished off with just a touch of makeup. Just enough to bring out your eyes, a glow to your cheeks, and those damn kissable lips, the ones that made Steve groan.

Bucky heard and cocked a brow at his friend, eyes moving to scan the crowd till he saw what had Steve’s attention, a grin formed on Bucks's face and he nudged him with his shoulder. “Punk, why don't you go ask her to dance, or come have a drink at the bar? I know she happens to like-"

“Gin, yes I know.” Steve turned back to the bar, beer bottle in hand, picking at the label before taking a swallow. Natasha sidled up to Steve's other side, looking immaculate herself, making herself an order of Vodka, straight up. She wasn't messing around. “Ya know Steve, it's not polite to avoid the guest of honor.” A knowing teasing smirk playing on her lips. “Katies going to be sad.” “I'm not avoiding her, I just see she's busy. I will.” Steve ordered another beer, Nat, and Bucky exchanging a look. Katie was doing nothing more at the moment then talking to Tony and Clint, once in a while a look over to the bar searching out a familiar face, and then back to her conversation. Everyone knew of the attraction these two had towards one another...

Except those two. For a year now they danced around each other in a work friendship that didn't seem to go further. Not that the rest didn't try to do something about it.

Tony clapped his hands together and spoke up. “Alright, birthday presents for Y/N, let's see what goodies we all cooked up for her, shall we?” Everyone moved to gather around, Steve hung towards the back, watching as Katie opened and remarked on each one her gratitude and love for each person who spoiled her. Natasha and Wanda got her gift cards and girl day out to a New York City weekend, Bucky gifted you one of his favorite knives, with the promise to do some practice together learning to use it, Sam got you tickets to a play you had really wanted to see. One for you and a plus one. Tony of course gave you use of his jet to Australia for a couple of weeks. “Bring Happy back a Kangaroo Kiddo, I really want to see one kick his ass.” Pepper scoffed and smacked his chest. “Be nice Tony!”

“Don't worry Tone.” You say with a smirk before hugging him. “He will kick your ass to.”

“By an animal? Never.” Tony sniffed as if insulted. Clint and Sam snickered to each other. “Wanna place a bet?’

The debate suddenly between the group turned into who would beat a Kangaroo when Katie pulled away from the crowd, and up to Steve. Full eyes looking up at him, she smiled and placed her hand on his arm. “Hey, figured I would come to say hi while they are all occupied.”

“Happy Birthday Y/N.” Steve drew you into a hug and pulled away. “Can we step outside for a minute? I want to give you your gift.”

Escaping the crowd, you both wandered out into the lot, getting a bit lost looking up at the stars that seemed particularly brilliant on this clear spring night.

“Mines nothing extravagant like the team got you... But um, I just wanted to give you something a little more personal.” He carefully untucked a folder he had hidden in his back, under his shirt, and handed it to you. Your brows creased in curiosity, opening it. Inside were several pieces of papers, sketches he had done of different things. One was of a picture of a horse you kept on your desk, soft eyes, and a long white stripe down her face, she looked to be looking over a stall door. Another was what you knew to be the view out the window you frequently had your lunch at. Another was you and Bucky, about to pair off on the mats for practice. And more, they all had personal little touches, and to say you were in shock at the gift was an understatement.

“Steve, these are incredible. I don't even know what to say.”

“Well I know they are not some trip or anything...” He seemed to start making an excuse for them and you tugged on his shirt, shaking your head.

“Stop, these are better than anything like that. They are beautiful, thank you.” Relief seemed to warm his blue eyes and a boyish grin lightened his face, a breath of relief whooshing out. “Your welcome, but I would still like to take you out. If you are up for it, will you let me take you to dinner Friday night?” You were careful to put the folder on a nearby bench, biting your lip as you looked at him. “Are we... calling it a date?”

Steve nodded at you. “Yes, a date. May I take you out on a date?” You boldly walked up to him, sliding your arms around his neck, and your eyes twinkled up at him with excitement, a playful grin on your lips that he found, oh so kissable. “Seal it with a kiss and you got a deal Handsome.”

Gentle he placed his hands at your waist, and his eyes moved to your lips. He had wanted to do this since the day you two met, and he let his head lower slowly, pressing his lips to yours. Nothing more than a sweet kiss, a getting familiar with how soft and gentle your lips were against his. But Steve wouldn't have traded that kiss for anything else.

“I KNEW IT! about time you guys!” You two heard, and both your heads whipped around to see everyone standing at the doorway, giving thumbs up and cheering on the two of you.

“Okay, guys! go buzz off!” You shooed at them like they were a bunch of pesky flies needing swatting. Once they all went back inside, leaving the two of you alone once more, Steve let his head fall forward, trying to hide his laughing, nerves, and embarrassment.

“So much for keeping that between us.” He snorted, and you winked up at him. “Don't worry Steve, Friday Night will just be the two of us, or else.” you winked and leaned up to steal one more kiss before taking his hand. “Come on, join me for a dance?”

“Of course Doll.”

#steve rogers x Y/N #steve rogers Drabble #steve rogers fluffy #steve rogers #captain america gets a date!#Happy Birthday Katie #mcu family #sweet and fluffy #amber writes #sweater writes

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fangirlfics · 4 years

Text

Reunited part 3 (Cal Kestis x reader)

word count: 702 summary: y/n, a former jedi and current bounty hunter attempts to capture Cal to collect a bounty however upon realizing he’s an old friend she changes her mind. (love triangle)

part 1

part 2

let’s be honest I have no idea where this is going, I hope you’re all staying safe

y/n walked besides Cal and BD-1 through the thickest part of Zeffo’s forest. It had been three days now since they had been reunited and his crew’s ship was close to being completely fixed, it was supposed to be done later that afternoon. “We’re almost to the point where you should head back.” y/n told the jedi as she fished her gloves from her belt.

“It’s fine, the village isn’t until another mile.” He protested, wanting to stay with her.

She smiled, shaking her head “always so stubborn.”

“I should probably meet up with my friends anyway.“ Cal told her, “we’re leaving tonight anyway...“ Then a silence fell over the two. Sure Cal was being hunted down and it was only a matter of time before someone from her crew discovered his whereabouts, but the past few days y/n had with Cal had been the best ones she’d ever experienced since her jedi days. “You know.“ Cal said, stopping in his tracks, “you can come with me.“

“What?“ She asked the boy, dropping her gloves because of the sudden suggestion.

“I mean it.“ He told her, bending over and reaching for her gloves.

“Cal it’s a nice thought but I can’t, what would I tell my crew? I’m a bounty hunter-“

“You don’t have to tell them anything, you can sneak away. My friends would love to have you!“ y/n smiled at the thought of joining his small anti-Galactic Empire party and took a deep breath. She thought of Jeremy and what he’d think if she just vanished, would he even care? After all although she wouldn’t like to admit it, she was more of a possession to him than a person. “Ok.“ She sighed, “I’ll go with you, but I have some stuff back at my crew’s place.“

Cal smiled the brightest smile she had seen in awhile “that’s fine, I can go with you.” He beamed, and BD-1 trilled happily at the fact that y/n would be joining their team.

“No, that’s too risky. I’ll go alone, I'll be there in...say thirty minutes.“ Cal nodded in agreement and they were both off on their way.

The walk to where y/n and her bounty hunter “friends” lived wasn’t too long. She moved quietly peering into a small window located at the front of the house-where you could spot the living room area. Normally nobody really was home due to looking for another job, but she needed to be sure she was alone. And from what it seemed, she was alone. She sighed in relief going in through the front door and hurrying to the room that she shared with the two other girls that were part of the crew. She didn’t have many possessions, given that with their line of work they were almost constantly moving around. y/n picked up her brown leather bag that sat in one of the room’s corners and unzipped it fast, moving to the shared dresser. Sure nobody was home but she wanted to get out of there fast, she pulled open her drawer that held her clothes and picked up multiple shirts and pants at once, frantically throwing them inside. She dropped the bag onto the ground and pulled off her gloves and armor, tossing them into her bag. She pulled out the remaining clothes from her drawer and threw the beige colored shirt over her head, pushing her arms through it’s short sleeves, she reached down grabbing the pair of olive green pants and put them on in a hurry too. It hadn’t been that long since she and Cal had last seen each other but she realized she missed his and BD-1′s company. It then occurred to her how lonely she used to feel-despite living with six other people. She picked up her bag again and took it to the room’s small closet, pulling on the drawstring light switch that lit the closet. It’s light was faint and came after a few short flickers but it didn’t matter, there were only three jackets in the closet. Latts Razzi’s lime feathered coat that she wore to parties, Lola’s (made up character) black coat that was lined with aeien silk and y/n’s plain brown leather jacket that two small pockets on the outside and two huge pockets on the inside of it. y/n pulled her jacket down from where it hung, putting it on along with the utility belt that she had been wearing with her armor. Her bag was hanging from her shoulder again and she slipped her lightsaber into her jacket’s (inside ) pocket before turning off the closet’s light and going back to the living room. The living room had a large chest against a wall with a few blankets and pillows stacked on top of it, she pushed them off, opening the chest to reveal various weaponry. She took two of the smaller knives, a whip cord and her blaster rifle along with extra ammo and what was left of the ion grenades, she also took one of the stun guns and put it in her other pocket before heading back to the front door. She was half way there when she heard heavy footsteps and voices coming from the other side. That’s not good. She thought backing up quickly and she slipped into the closest room, hiding under a bed-which happened to belong to Jeremy. Now she could hear the voices clearly.

“She’s probably looking for that jedi...” She heard a female voice say lazily-Lola. “I would too if I were her, how embarrassing-I mean he was stunned and he got away? What a wimp!”

“Don’t talk about her like that, he’s a jedi after all.” That voice belonged to Jeremy, “besides...” his footsteps were getting closer now. “it’s not like her to be gone for so long, I haven’t seen her since last night.”

“Calm down, lover boy. She’s fine, probably more than fine if you ask me...” Jeremy came through the door and y/n watched as he walked over to his bed, putting what was probably his helmet onto it. “what do you mean?”

“Oh, nothing...” Lola responded casually sounding bored.

“Lola, what?” Jeremy asked again.

“well, the girl’s been talking in her sleep for the last three or four days-drives me insane-anyway...she’s always talking about some guy, keeps saying his name over and over.”

“What?” Jeremy asked turning around, and Lola’s feet were visible now as she entered the room slowly.

“Yeah...it’s always the same thing like ‘I’m sorry Cal!’” She mocked pretending to sound sad, “ or “’I’m so happy I found you!’ Once she even said ‘you’re the best thing that’s happened to me blah blah blah’-couldn’t really tell the rest. It is sooo annoying. Every night I swear. Soon she’s gonna be confessing her love, maybe she’ll even leave you-”

“You’re lying.” Jeremy practically snarled.

“Oh honey, trust me. I’m not. But if I’m right, and she leaves you for some loser...I’m always here.” She laughed lightly leaving the room and after a moment she called back, “Hey Jeremy, looks like I was right.”

“What are you talking about now?” Jeremy called back, and y/n could practically hear the eye roll that was included.

“Your girl’s stuff is all gone.”

“What?” Jeremy bolted out of the room and his footsteps faded.

“I came to get my jacket and hers is gone, so is all of her other clothes...no note.” y/n took this opportunity to crawl out from under the bed, and she climbed out of the window. She headed towards

(3 days later)

“It’s fine, the village isn’t until another mile.” He protested, wanting to stay with her.

She smiled, shaking her head “always so stubborn.”

“What?“ She asked the boy, dropping her gloves because of the sudden suggestion.

“I mean it.“ He told her, bending over and reaching for her gloves.

“Cal it’s a nice thought but I can’t, what would I tell my crew? I’m a bounty hunter-“

Cal smiled the brightest smile she had seen in awhile “that’s fine, I can go with you.” He beamed, and BD-1 trilled happily at the fact that y/n would be joining their team.

“No, that’s too risky. I’ll go alone, I'll be there in...say thirty minutes.“ Cal nodded in agreement and they were both off on their way.

“She’s probably looking for that jedi...” She heard a female voice say lazily-Lola. “I would too if I were her, how embarrassing-I mean he was stunned and he got away? What a wimp!”

“Oh, nothing...” Lola responded casually sounding bored.

“Lola, what?” Jeremy asked again.

“well, the girl’s been talking in her sleep for the last three or four days-drives me insane-anyway...she’s always talking about some guy, keeps saying his name over and over.”

“What?” Jeremy asked turning around, and Lola’s feet were visible now as she entered the room slowly.

“You’re lying.” Jeremy practically snarled.

“What are you talking about now?” Jeremy called back, and y/n could practically hear the eye roll that was included.

“Your girl’s stuff is all gone.”

“What?” Jeremy bolted out of the room and his footsteps faded.

“I came to get my jacket and hers is gone, so is all of her other clothes...no note.” y/n took this opportunity to quickly push her bag out from under the bed and crawl out, without looking back she climbed out of the window. She headed towards the shop where Cal would be waiting with his crew.

“you’re here!” Was the first thing she heard Cal say as she approached the shop.

“You’re not supposed to be out in the open!” She whisper yelled.

He smiled at her concern, “it’s alright there’s nobody here anyway.”

y/n sighed with uncertainty, “you’re a risk taker I see.”

He shrugged, “so the mantis should be ready for takeoff in about ten minutes or so.” But he noticed how y/n seemed to be a little off “are you ok? You’re...still sure that you want to come right?”

“Yes, I’m certain.” She quickly clarified, “I just...I almost got caught leaving and now Lola and Jeremy know that I left.”

“Jeremy was you’re boyfriend?” He asked remembering the stories that y/n had told him. She nodded. “and you’re afraid that he’ll find you here..with me?” Another nod as the girl stared at the ground.

“If he found out about everything-if he even saw me with you he’d freak out especially now that he knows I’m leaving.” She explained, “and I didn’t even realize how crazy he is and how bad my decisions have been until you came back and I actually thought that I was in love with him, I didn’t even realize how controlling he was-.”

“It’s ok.” Cal reassured her, putting his hands on her shoulders, “in a little bit we’ll be out of here and you won’t ever see him again.”

y/n shook her head smiling up at the boy timidly. “Thank you.” She told him, wrapping her arms around her friend’s torso. “I feel like you’re literally saving me.”

“Well I am a jedi.” Cal joked, hugging her back, “come on, I’ll introduce you to my friends.” So she followed him inside feeling hopeful.

But what neither of them noticed was that someone was watching nearby with narrowed eyes. They looked back from y/n’s face, to Cal’s, to the lightsaber hanging from his belt in disgust. “That treacherous little filth.” Lola snared from the shadows, and she turned around back into the direction of her home, “just wait until the others hear about this.”

#cal kestis #cal kestis imagine #cal kestis x reader #cal kestis fanfic #cal x reader #cal #star wars #star wars fanfiction #star wars imagine #star wars one shot #star wars fangirl #star wars fallen order #star wars jedi: fallen order #jedi fallen order #jedi fallen order fanfic #jedi #fallen order

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writingkeepsmewhole · 4 years

Text

Promise

This is part 16 of Betrayal. It’s kinda all over the place but I had fun writing this part. This is fic 17 of my 365 fic challange. I know its very late but family crap kept me from posting. I’ll catch up before the end of the year.

Fic Summary: Scarlet and Dean go visit Rebecca.

Dean Winchester x OC Scarlet

Warnings: Mentions of previous smut, cheating, langue, Rehab I think that’s it.

Taglist Would love to add you: @thewinchesterchronicles @amandamaesweetheart @scarlettreneem @deans-baby-momma

Part 1 Part 15

I wake up to an alarm going off the blaring beeping filling my brain. I sit up straight my eyes flying open as I try to pinpoint the sound of the noise.

I realize that it's coming from Dean’s phone on the nightstand. I was in his bed alone. I roll over on my stomach and grab his phone turning it off and then dropping my face in the pillow as I realize it’s 6AM I've only been sleep for about five hours.

“I’m sorry I forgot to turn it off.” Dean says coming threw the bedroom door a tray of food in his hand.

“S’okay.” I say sitting up and yawning.

“I brought you some breakfast.” He says placing the tray on the bed in front of me.

It pancakes, bacon and orange juice.

“You made these?” I ask pulling the tray closer to me to steal a piece of bacon.

“Yeah I figured it's the least I could do after last night.” He says his ears turning pink.

“You didn’t do anything I didn’t like.” I say smiling at him.

“You haven’t seen yourself.” He says sitting next to me.

I shrug not caring about how I look.

“So how long did you sleep?”

“I got my four hours.”

“But I gotta head out Bobby will be pissed if I’m late.”

“I thought you were the boss?”

“You should tell him that.” He says kissing my head and standing up.

“Stay as long as you want to baby I’ll be back home at five.”

“Remember we gotta go see Becca at six.”

“I know.” He says throwing on his jacket.

“Have fun at work, don’t come back to dirty.”

“No promises.” He says winking at me then heading down stairs.

I blush my stomach fluttering with emotions.

“Your so screwed.” I say to myself knowing I was in way too deep with Dean to want to get out.

After breakfast I got dressed settling for a sweater and high waisted jeans. Seeing I was out of clean socks I stole a pair of Deans then pulled on my boots.

Dean was right. I haven’t seen myself. I had hickeys all over my neck, shoulders and chest. That wasn’t the worst part there was a hand shaped bruise on my tight from Dean holding on to me.

But I didn’t mind it. It was in the moment and he didn’t hurt me. Sometimes we all had to blow off some steam.

After getting ready for the day I cleaned up my breakfast it leading to me cleaning up the kitchen and the living room.

I was almost finished with the bathroom when my phone rang.

“Hello hello?” I ask putting to my ear.

“Hey, where are you?” Ruby’s voice asks from the other end.

“Dean’s house.” I say honestly.

“Oh okay I was wondering why you never came home last night was getting worried.”

“Oh no need I’m safe. You know me fat and happy.”

“Your not fat.”

“Yeah I know.”

“So what are you doing?”

“I’m cleaning, what about you?”

“Job hunting.”

“Job hunting?” I ask that reminding me that I needed to do that as well.

“Yeah the dinner closed today so I guess you're not the only jobless one.”

“Well that’s great what are we gonna do?”

“I don’t know any suggestions?” She asks as I walk into the kitchen to get something to drink.

“Become hookers.” I say to lighten the mood.

“Been there done that?”

“Wait really?”

“No! Oh my gosh Scarlet I’m not that bad.”

“I’m not judging.” I say laughing her joining me.

“So really what do we do?”

“Look for work and pray really hard we get something.”

“Okay I’ve been looking Sam said he would help us out if we needed it.”

“Yeah Dean’s offered that too.”

“And you didn’t take it?”

“I don’t want to make him take care of me he has enough going on.”

“Like what?”

“He’s wife is in rehab and the person he is sleeping with happens to be his wife’s sister.”

“Oh yeah I guess that can be a bit complicated.”

“Just a tad.”

“Sorry seeing you two at the party made me kinda forget about Rebcca being in the picture.”

“Oh she’s in it. I’m going to go see her today.”

“Is Dean going?”

“Yeah.” I say hearing a beeping in my ear.

I look at my phone to see it’s batter is low.

“Hey I’ll call you later I gotta charge my phone.”

“Okay hun love ya.”

“You too.” I say hanging up the phone.

I walk up stairs and plug my phone up in Dean’s room. I start to go back to cleaning but get distracted by the TV. Then I got sleepy so I decided to take a short nap. That’s where I was when Dean got home.

He woke me up by gently shaking me him stroking my face

“Your home.” I say smiling at him.

“I am.” He says join me in bed him wrapping his arm around me.

I turn over to face him the smell of oil filling my nose.

“What time do we need to be at the rehab center?” He asks looking down at me.

“Six.” I say yawning.

“We got an hour till we have to leave if you want to go back to sleep.”

I shake my head and lay it on his shoulder.

“Just let me wake up and I’ll make you some food then we can leave.”

“You don’t have to make me anything I’ll get something on the road.”

“But I want.”

“I know but we don’t have time.”

“Okay.” I say pulling away from him and sitting up.

Lifting my arms over my head I stretch. I jump when I feel his calloused fingers touch my neck.

“I did a number on you huh.”

“Stop thinking about it. I’m fine. You sound like one of those guys from some mushy teen rom com.” I say looking back at him.

He smiles his hand moving to my face. Sitting up he kisses me softly. It short and sweet.

“Sorry no more chick flick moments.”

“Thank you.” I say kissing his nose.

“Should we get ready to go?”

“Yeah” I say moving to get out of the bed.

Once in the car we drive straight to where Rebecca is not wanting to be late. We get there just in time. We checked in then wait for the doctor to come out and get us.

I’m surprised when it’s someone who looks around the same age as Dean. He was young, dark hair bright blue eyes. Attractive.

“Hello, my name is Castiel I believe we spoke yesterday.” He says shaking our hands.

I expected someone older by how deep his voice was.

“Yes, I’m Scarlet and this is Dean.”

“Your Rebecca’s husband?” He asks looking at Dean.

“Yeah.”

“Good, I’m sure she will be happy to see you both. This way please.” He says turning to walk down the hall not checking to see if we were following him.

Both me and Dean look at each other Dean raising an eyebrow as if to say is this for real. I shrug and follow behind the man in the lab coat.

We walk to the end of the hall it a door needing clearance. A guard sitting next to it at a desk.

“Please give over all cell phones, pocket knives, concealed weapons or anything else that could be dangerous to our patients.”

“You want me to take my shoe laces off too?” Dean asks earning an elbow to the ribs from me.

“Be nice.”

“What, he acts like we're the crazy ones.”

“Sir, none of our patients here are crazy. They are weak minded and in need of help if you do not believe in helping your wife then you can wait out in the lobby.” Castiel says his face set in stone.

“No, I’ll play nice I promise.”

“Thank you.”

After we remove our hazardous items, it being our phones and Dean’s pocket knife, they let us on the other side of the door.

“We will be talking in my office if that is alright for you two?”

“Fine by me.” Dean says his hand brushing mine.

I watch and feel him clench it them him crossing his arms. I feel a knot start to form in my stomach as I realize what he was trying to do. He wanted to take my hand but stopped himself from doing it.

I hated that. Hated that I did that to him. Made it so he had to hide his emotions. He wasn’t good at showing them. He only did it by actions never by words. He most likely felt nervous or angry being here and wanted support and he couldn’t even ask for it in the only way he knew how.

“Please wait here while I go and retrieve Rebecca.” Castiel says stopping in front of an open office door.

“Sure.” I say going inside and sitting down on the couch, Dean joining me.

I don’t pay attention to the doctor closing the door. When he dose I watch Dean take a breath.

“Hey.” I say poking his arm getting his attention.

He looks at me his deep green eyes meeting mine.

“Kiss me.” I say my stomaching flipping.

“What?” He asks taken back by the demand.

“Kiss me, I want you relaxed.”

He smirks his eyes jumping to the door then back to me. I blush realizing that we had an unknown amount of time before Rebecca got here. Maybe that's what had me feeling so warm.

Dean pulls me close to him his mouth meeting mine. I kiss him back placing my hand on his stubbled covered cheek.

His tongue traces my lip just for him to pull away from me.

“Finish this later?”

“Yes.” I agree with him, the thrill of the chance of being caught hotter than what I expected.

That feeling goes out the window when the door is opened Rebecca walking in.

“Your here!” She says grinning at us.

“Yeah.” I say standing up quickly, hoping she doesn't wonder why me and Dean were sitting so close our knees were touching. Or why my face was red, or why I glanced at Dean’s mouth to see if I left a lipstick stained just to remember that I forgot to put some on before I left.

“You both came.” She says pulling me into a hug.

I hug her back taking note that she seemed to feel fuller like she gained weight.

“How ya feeling Becca?” Dean asks behind me.

“Better.” She says looking at him.

“Yes Rebecca has been doing better.” Castiel says sitting in the chair across from the couch.

“Please sit down so we can begin.”

“Oh right.” She says moving to sit on the other side of Dean.

I sit down after him it butting him in the middle of us. I couldn’t help but think how fitting that was. He was split between us. As if to prove my point he placed his arm behind me his other hand falling to Rebecca’s knee.

I feel a wave of jealousy fill me at the sight.

‘He’s her husband!’ I yell at myself.

‘Yeah but she ain’t the one covered in his love bites or sleeping in his bed is she?’ The darker side of my brain says.

“So how can we help?” I ask before I can start arguing with myself.

“Regular visits.” Castiel says looking surprised by my question making me realize I most likely interrupted him.

“Rebecca is- She needs her family’s support.”

“We’ve tried this already. Not to pop your bubble Doc but couples therapy doesn't work for us.” Dean says surprising me.

He didn’t sound angry more tired. I look at him realizing his hand was now back in his lap but his arm was still placed behind me.

“I’m not talking about couples therapy.”

“You tried therapy?” I ask this being news to me.

“When we first got married.” Rebecca answers.

“And you didn’t tell me?”

“I didn’t think it concerned you.”

“You told me you told her.” Dean says looking at her.

“Why does that matter now?”

“Because you lie all the time.”

“No I don’t.”

“Excuse me can we focus.” Castiel says pulling them away from starting a fight.

“We are here to talk about the problems at hand, not something that happened five years ago.”

“Three.” Dean says looking at Castiel.

He wrinkles up his brow and looks at the folder in his hand.

“Rebecca told me you got married five years ago.”

“We’ve only been together three.”

“No we haven’t it’s been five.”

“No, we've been married three years.” He says moving to place his forearms on his knees.

“Scarlet tell him.” She says looking at me.

“He’s right.” I say biting my lip.

“Whatever.” She says sighing.

“Either way we are here to help her get better and stay better.”

“Good luck with that.” Dean says standing up.

“Sir, your wife needs your support.”

“She doesn't need shit from me. I’ll be in the car.” He says walking to leave the room.

“Dean.” I say making him stop.

“Stay it’s the least we could do.” I say hoping he gets my meaning.

Sighing he turns to face us.

“Fine, but I ain’t sitting back down.” He says moving to stand next to me.

“Very well. Shall we begin?”

“I thought we already have.”

“Rebecca would like to say a few things.” Castiel says holding his hand out as if to tell her go ahead.

She nods and turns to face us.

“I’m sorry.” She says looking between me and Dean.

“I’m sorry for being a bad wife and a bad sister. I want to tell you that I forgive you for not helping me when I needed it. Your my family and I love you. I hope that you can both stay here this time…. That’s all.” She says smiling.

“Are you serious?” I ask her her looking at me.

“Yes, I’m going to do better.”

“Well that’s great but you really think we put you in this mess?”

“We are not here to place blame.” The doctor says.

“I didn’t plan on it until she just told me she forgives me for not helping her. If I remember she's here because she attacked Dean.”

“No I’m here because you tricked me into signing my life away.” She says glaring at me.

“Because you were dangerous to everyone and yourself.”

“You weren't there that night.”

“I was, I got called to the police station because he lied and said Dean hit you.”

She clenched her jaw and looks at the floor.

“I don’t remember that.”

“Yeah I’m sure you don’t.” I say softly not fully believing her.

“I know Dean wouldn’t hurt me.”

“Damn straight.” He says next to me.

“I know you two are better off without me.” She says making my stomach knot up. That hitting a little close to home.

“But I’m gonna do better I promise this time.”

“You gotta prove that Becca.” Dean says.

“I know. I’m doing better just asks the doctors here.”

“We have seen improvements with her behavior.”

“See I’ll prove it. I don’t have to talk about me all the time. How have you two been?” She says hope filling her eyes as if that one question proved she was a whole new person.

“We’re fine.” Dean answers coldly.

“Okay umm tell me about your boyfriend.” She says looking at me.

“What?” I ask wondering where that came from.

“You are covered in hickys I’m not stupid.”

“Right.” I say blushing.

“So tell me about him is he nice.”

“Yeah, he’s amazing.” I say honestly. Feeling guilt starts to build up inside me.

“Is he cute?”

I nod my face red since she is asking me about her husband.

“How is he in bed?”

“Like I said amazing.” I say practically feeling Dean’s smirk behind me.

“Rebecca.” Casteil says after he clears his throat.

“Right, sorry. Will you let me meet him when I get out?”

“Yeah.” I say having no idea how to answer this question.

“Have you meet him?” She asks looking up at Dean.

“Yeah he’s awesome.” He says.

I bite my lip and looked up at him, seeing a huge grin on his face.

This was the most awkward moment I have ever had to experience it and I wanted it to be over.

My prayer was answered when a knock came threw the door.

It opened to show a read head nurse on the other side.

“Sorry to interrupt but it’s time for medication and dinner.” She says smiling at us.

“Very well we will do this again soon.” Castiel says standing up.

“Can you excourt these two out I’ll get Rebecca back to her room.”

“Of course.” She says smiling and waving for us to follow her.

“Come with me.”

“Right behind you.” I say turning to face Rebecca.

“I love you.” I say hugging her.

“Yeah, see you later.” She says hugging me back.

I pull away from her and stand up walking over to the door.

She jumps up and hugs Dean him returning it but quickly pulling away from her. A feeling of sadness hit me since he hugged Sam longer than that. Was that because of what she has done to him or what me and him were doing?

“See ya Becca. Be good.” He says smiling at her then moving to join me.

I smile and wave at her as I walk out of the room.

Me and Dean don’t speak while we collect our things and head to the car.

I felt a whole mess or emotions but I didn’t know what Dean was feeling. I knew I could take a guess and after talking to him for a few days I could figure it out but I didn’t want to do that today.

Getting in the car I close the door Dean doing the same thing almost at the same time.

“So you think I’m amazing?” He asks looking over at me a smirk on his face.

“Really that’s what you got outta that?” I ask a smiling coming to my face.

“Duh my baby girl just called me amazing.” He says making both our faces heat up.

“Baby girl?” I ask before I can stop myself.

“Yeah, is that alright?” He asks trying to sound smooth but his eyes showed doubt in them.

“It’s perfect.”

“Good, now come here.” He says pulling me so I slid over to seat him.

I let out a giggle when he does, him kissing me. I kiss him back it not lasting long before his fingers find my sides him tickling me.

I jump away from him giggling as he easily traps me under him his fingers digging into me.

“Dean stop!” I say around my laughter.

“What’s in it for me?” He asks bending down to cover my face with kisses as he keeps tickling me.

I wiggle under him my face starting to hurt from smiling.

“Anything you want just stop…. I can’t breathe.” I say laughing.

“Anything?” He asks pausing over me.

“Yes anything.” I say panting hard.

“Promise me something.”

“Okay?” I say not expecting that answer.

“Promise me you’ll never get like that. Promise me you’ll come to me with whatever problem you have, that you won’t disappear on me.” He says softly. Him peeling back a layer of his armor letting me see the inside of him for just a second.

“I promise.” I say it being a promise I would never dream of braking.

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nekojitachan · 5 years

Text

How to Steal a Million pt2

So, here’s another part of this story, no clue how many more (at least a few?). More Foxes appear! Yay!

Uhm, lots of bantering, very mild violence, some swearing, think that’s about it? Oh, and obvious some dubious life choices/actions here.

*******

“I mean, can you believe it?” Neil asked as he tugged on his bangs while seated on a stack of new tires in the middle of Matt’s garage while his friend worked on the Ferrari. “He keeps cackling about the damn postcards and ticket revenue and… and he’s insane!”

“Uhm, you know that those are your genes, right?” Matt’s deep voice drifted out from underneath the sports car, followed by a yelp when Neil gave his right calf a kick. “Hey! Not funny,” he complained as he scooted out from beneath the car, frowning face smeared with grease in a couple of spots and ridiculous hair covered by a bright orange bandana (also smeared with grease).

“Huh, I was thinking much the same thing,” Neil muttered as he glared at his friend. “You’re supposed to be commiserating with me, not insulting me!”

“Okay.” Matt took a deep breath as he sat up on the floor dolly thing and dabbed at the mess on his left cheek. “You’re upset that Stuart isn’t selling one of his fakes for once? I don’t get it.”

“He’s basically parading around a fake in front of thousands of people!” Neil hissed as he waved his arms about, upset that Matt wasn’t following. “What if they realize it’s not the real thing?”

“But Stuart’s really good at what he does,” Matt argued as he looked about for something.

“He’s a forger and a thief.”

“Says the guy who showed up earlier with a stolen Ferrari – I don’t think you have the strongest argument here, Red.” When Neil’s glare went up a notch, Matt held up his hands in a placating manner. “Hey, not throwing any stones, but you can toss me the rachet wrench near your left foot – you know, the thing that makes the ‘rrrrch, rrrch’ sound when you turn it?”

“I know what a rachet wrench is by now,” Neil mumbled as he picked up the thing and tossed it (lightly) at his friend. “And I stole the damn car because I’ll most likely need the money for when Stuart and I flee the country in a rush sometime within the next week – which I shouldn’t have to explain myself to the person who’s currently modifying it so it can be sold to some crime lord with an ego problem.”

“Victor’s a decent guy for a crime lord, and I don’t want to hear any bitching from a Hatford,” Matt threw back at him. “’Oooh, look who’s slumming right now’,” he called out in a high-pitched voice as his head waggled from side to side. “’Let me break out the tea and crumpets and lots of sharp knives’.”

“You’re an ass,” Neil laughed as he got up to tug the bandanna down his friend’s face, as well as to muss up his gravity-defying hair; it was then that Dan, Matt’s girlfriend, walked in on them.

“What did I tell you?” she called out as Matt wrapped his damn gorilla arms around Neil’s hips. “If you’re finally going to make a move on the boy, wait until I’m here to join in.”

“Eh?” Neil blinked at that odd statement while Matt laughed and, after giving him a smack on the ass, pushed him away so he could stand up and go give Dan a kiss – carefully, since she was dressed for a ‘day’ of work, in a fitted pant suit that hid the holstered gun and various knives on her person, as befitted her job as a well-regarded bodyguard. “How was work?”

“Horrible. I was half-tempted to shoot the whiny bastard myself, no wonder his company’s paying people to keep him alive.” Dan rolled her eyes as she unbuttoned her jacket to reveal the white shirt beneath it (and the leather straps of her holster). “Just had to keep focusing on the paycheck.”

“That’s what I love about you, always thinking ahead,” Matt said as he placed a kiss on her forehead. “Should get a nice cut from this latest job, too. Then you can take a break from assholes for a while and work on your charity cases.”

“Yeah, Renee’s already got a couple names lined up for me.” A pleased smile lit up Dan’s face, wiping away the exhaustion and bitterness from before and highlighting a beauty she rarely enhanced with makeup. “Can’t wait for a nice vacation from the bastards.”

“Well, you do live with Matt,” Neil teased, and laughed when the tall freak attempted to kick back at him.

“Such a troublemaker,” Dan remarked as she came over to tousle his hair. “And did you bring this in? I thought you were more into cons with Allison and some B&E these days, not back to stealing cars.”

“He’s convinced that Stuart’s finally done something stupid enough to bring the police down on them,” Matt explained as he sat down on the dolly. “I’m not gonna complain since I get to work on this beauty, earn some money and get in Victor’s good books.”

At Dan’s curious look, Neil sighed. “He got it in his head to allow our copy, the fake copy, of the Cellini Venus to go on display at the Kleber-Lafayette Museum.”

“What?” Dan’s dark eyes went wide and she ran her hands over her dark brown, short curls in a sign of frustration. “There was a lot of activity around the museum today, them preparing for a big event that the asshole complained about having to miss because of some other commitment.”

“Yeah, they’re having a party tonight to kick off the collection, something like that.” Neil returned to the stack of tires and pulled his right knee to his chest as he thought about the whole mess. “Usually Stuart’s sensible about things,” he thought about that statement and sighed, “somewhat sensible, but all he’s babbling about now is postcards and cuts and other nonsense. I’m ready to throttle him.”

“Sorry, sweetie.” Dan gave a gentle stroke to his hair. “If you need to crash anywhere, you know you can stay with us.”

“Thanks.” He grimaced a little as he thought about the whole mess. “I hope he gets whatever this is out of his system without us getting into too much trouble. It’s gonna suck if we have to avoid Paris from now on.”

“I’m sure it won’t be that bad,” Dan assured him. “You always tend to think the worst, too.”

Maybe because he was used to things going pear-shaped on him? Though to be honest, usually his family or his friends came through for him in the end. “Yeah, well, I remember a few close calls like the Saini con-“

“Aw, but some people would give almost anything to spend half a night trapped beneath a desk with Allison!” Matt declared from beneath the Ferrari.

“-or the Friedrich incident,” Neil finished with a scowl.

“I still don’t know how you and Renee managed to hide all those knives on your bodies and not rattle when you walked,” Dan confessed with a wince.

“We were just grateful that you did,” Matt called out.

“Well, is it too much to hope that this exhibition will end without me being stuck in a small space or knives being involved?” Neil asked as he stared at Dan with a hopeful look, only to feel the emotion die when she gazed back with pity. “Fuck.”

“Sorry, sweetie, but knowing your uncle and your luck? Get out the whetstone and be thankful you’re not claustrophobic.”

“Fuck,” Neil repeated as he reconsidered his stance on not drinking.

*******

Andrew fought the urge to tug at his bowtie for the eighth time that night and reminded himself that in another twenty-three minutes he could leave the boring as hell party; at that point, he’d already gathered enough information on how the place’s security worked, especially around a crowd.

He wasn’t that impressed with the Kleber-Lafayette Museum. Then again, he wasn’t impressed with much in life.

He ignored the interested look some woman dressed in a sparkling gold cocktail dress gave him as he snatched a glass of passible champagne from a tray full of them, and noted the unimpressed one he received from another young woman wearing an expensive as fuck Dior gown which had just been on the runway a week ago. It took his brain a moment to supply a name – Allison Reynolds, disowned heiress but still rich bitch extraordinaire, determined to live by her own rules and somehow able to get by in society despite that fact. Andrew raised his glass to her and was surprised when she arched an elegant eyebrow and raised her own in return.

After another lap of the main room (and another careful survey of the party’s attendees), Andrew stopped at his partner’s side; Kevin had undone his tie, but it had been a bit of a rough night once his old ‘friend’ had shown up. Andrew noted that there was a glass of water in Kevin’s scarred left hand and not alcohol, which meant that his friend had recovered from the shock. “Five more minutes.”

Kevin’s handsome face twisted with annoyance. “Some people enjoy being surrounded by works of art,” he said, voice rich with reproach. “The Kleber-Lafayette has quite the collection of-“

“Don’t care,” Andrew sang out as he rocked back and forth on his toes. “Seen one splattering of pastels, seen ‘em all.”

As he’d counted on, Kevin’s face grew flushed with anger. “You’re a disgrace to the profession,” he gritted out as he pinched the bridge of his nose with the fingers of his right hand.

“No I’m not, I’m the best at what I do,” Andrew reminded his partner. “And three minutes, now.”

Instead of arguing, Kevin merely shook his head and finished his water, then set the empty glass aside on the nearby small table before motioning for them to leave (one minute early, such a reprieve). They were quiet as they escaped from the boring party, at least until they reached the Jaguar F-type Andrew was renting during their stay in Paris.

He removed the jacket to his tux and the damn tie before he slid behind wheel, relieved to be done acting ‘proper’ for the night. “It’s not the worse job we’ve had, but it’s not the best, either. They seem to have somewhat paid attention to us when we gave them the security review.”

“Somewhat,” Kevin muttered as he jerked his left hand through his hair. “When are they going to learn that it’s better to spend the money on everything we recommend? Whining about extra lasers doesn’t matter if someone walks off with a Monet and their insurance fees skyrocket as a result.”

“Not our fault if they don’t listen to us,” Andrew reminded him. “Speaking about artwork, I’m going to be busy tonight.” When Kevin glanced at him, he gave a shrug as he fished out his pack of cigarettes from the center console. “Something’s bothering me about that Venus statue.”

“The Cellini one?”

“Yeah.” Andrew frowned as he lit the cigarette. “I don’t like how Josten just so happens to find all these amazing pieces of artwork, which end up in private collections and so avoid any real tests.”

“But he signed the papers which allow the statue to be tested for insurance purposes,” Kevin reminded him.

“Hmm.” It would be a big scandal if the statue was found out to be fake, though, so Andrew would rather know sooner rather than later and warn the museum if there was going to be a scandal (and earn a bonus as a result). “I wonder if he knows that, considering all the documents he signed. Anyway, we’re here, he’s here, I want to take a look at his house since I’ve always been suspicious about his collection.”

“You’re suspicious about everyone,” Kevin muttered as he slumped down in the passenger seat. “I still remember what you did to the poor woman whose job it was to clean your hotel room in Barcelona.”

“Because she didn’t obey the ‘do not disturb’ sign, and don’t change the subject,” Andrew argued. “Was I right about Zhang?” He waited for his partner to nod. “What about Bambey? Riopert? Zimmerman? Abe? I can go on all night.”

“Whatever, just don’t get caught, the French police aren’t happy with you after the whole Devine case,” Kevin just had to remind him.

“Yes, but I was right about that one, too,” Andrew said as he flicked ash out the window. It was quiet in the car as he drove them back to the hotel for a couple of minutes. “So what did the bastard say to you, hmm?” He’d seen Moriyama talk to Kevin from across the room, but the bastard had moved on before he could reach his friend’s side.

“Just… a snide comment or two about me ‘slumming’, that of course I was only there for work and about me tending to a mess someone made as if I was the cleaning staff,” Kevin admitted as his jaw tightened in anger. “Enough to remind me of how much I hate him.”

Nothing new, in other words; Riko Moriyama was still the spoiled, sociopathic bastard he’d always been, but Kevin had moved on enough to no longer let him tear him down. “He’s nothing without his uncle’s name and money. Not even his own brother wants anything to do with him.”

“Yeah.” Being reminded of Riko’s many issues always made Kevin happy. “Oh, he seemed obsessed with the Cellini, now that I remember. Kept staring at it and asking the museum staff about it.”

Something to keep in mind in case Riko proved to be trouble, which usually was the case. “Probably saw a new shiny he wants.”

“Yeah.” As if not wanting to talk about the bastard any longer (understandable), Kevin changed the subject to a couple of potential clients he’d met during the evening, whom he planned to follow up with during the next several days. Andrew grunted in agreement since it would keep the man busy – that and Kevin always did better at that sort of thing than him.

Once back at the hotel, they went their separate ways; Andrew imagined that Kevin would call it a night since he’d be up early in the morning to hit the workout room, while he changed into a more suitable outfit for sneaking about and double-checked the address he had for one Stuart Josten. Then it was back out for some ‘fun’.

*******

Neil was in bed attempting to read a book which Renee had lent him on ‘living kindly’ (she tried, she really did, but somehow he doubted that he’d manage a similar conversion like hers) when an alert on his phone went off to inform him that someone had tripped a silent alarm he’d installed near one of the house’s windows. For a moment he debated calling Davis, who was out with Stuart at that awful party, to come back and take care of the problem, but it had been very frustrating couple of days so he figured why not deal with things himself and then call the man to clean up the mess? Plan (more or less) in mind, he reached for the gun in the nightstand before he decided on the knife beneath his pillow instead (less noise) then slipped out of bed dressed in a dark grey t-shirt and boxer-briefs. His phone showed that the opened window had been downstairs, so he snuck down the staircase, where there were faint sounds in the main sitting room.

It was dark, but Neil’s night vision was good and enough ambient light came through the windows for him to make out a short shape dressed in dark clothes doing something to the new Van Gogh forgery hanging on the one wall. As quietly as he could manage, Neil snuck up behind the thief, and almost was within reach when the man (?) took the painting down and turned around.

Neil had the impression of pale skin and hazel eyes gone wide in surprise before the artwork was dropped and the man (definitely a man) launched himself forward; Neil raised his arms to block and got the knife up as he was knocked onto the floor.

“Mr. Josten, I presume,” the asshole said as Neil struggled to regain his breath from the impact and a heavy asshole laid out on top of him, the knife held back a hair’s breadth from said asshole’s neck.

“Yes, nice to meet you, larcenous asshole,” Neil replied as he tried to close that tiny gap, but said asshole was strong.

“Such harsh words.” Larcenous Asshole’s voice was deep and, judging from his accent, he was an American.

“Well, you did break into my house and try to steal a painting. I’m merely calling a spade a spade.”

Larcenous Asshole clicked his tongue as if annoyed, his gaze never once roaming from Neil’s face despite the knife. “I was only taking one painting. You have so many, chances were good you wouldn’t even have missed it.”

“Right, a priceless piece of art like that, we’d never have noticed.” Neil swore that those almost golden eyes narrowed the slightest bit at his comment. “What was I thinking?”

“Like I said, you have so many,” Larcenous Asshole drawled. “And it’s not as if you’re really going to do anything about it, a rich fop of a boy like you.”

“Well, by that reckoning, I’m sure there’s so many other larcenous assholes out there, who’ll notice if I rid the world of one, hmm?” Neil gave the man his father’s grin as he put a bit more effort into moving his right hand, and was rewarded when the knife touched bare skin.

He was also rewarded by seeing another flash of surprise on the otherwise impassive face above him as Larcenous Asshole jerked back away from the knife; Neil used the distraction to bring up his right knee to land a blow which at least hit the man in the very upper thigh if not in the intended target and so gave him enough room to wiggle free.

Both of them scrambled onto their feet, Larcenous Asshole with a bit less grace and a lot of wincing, and somehow Neil wasn’t surprised when his ‘guest’ pulled a knife of his own. “Aw, is playtime over?”

Larcenous Asshole scowled at him, the look slight but definitely there (Neil was used to people giving him dirty looks). “You cut me and tried to knee me in the balls. What type of society fop are you?” he demanded to know as he fingered where the knife had (barely) cut into his neck.

“A society fop who knows how to defend himself and his home. What type of Larcenous Asshole are you if you can’t take a little abuse, hmm?” Neil asked as he fought the urge to flip the knife (well, flip or throw, one of the two – wait, L.A. was standing on the 16th century Persian, so go with ‘flip’ until the bastard moved somewhere better for bloodstains).

“I break into spoiled rich people’s homes, I don’t expect much of a struggle. Also, bleeding,” L.A hissed through clenched teeth.

“You say that as if it’s my problem. Well, actually, take a few steps to the right just in case I cut a little deeper than I thought, won’t you? That rug is priceless.” Neil made a shooing motion with his left hand.

“You are fucked up, which is saying something coming from me,” L.A. declared as he risked a glance at the blood on his fingertips. “Also, I’m thinking that you’re not going to call the cops or else you’d be on the phone already, and I’m not sure you want me dead despite the lovely threats otherwise. So are we going to flirt all night or is there a point to this?”

Dammit… he may be an asshole, but the guy wasn’t stupid; Neil couldn’t call the cops, not when the house was filled with forgeries, and he was hesitant to kill him outright when he wasn’t sure if the man belonged to a syndicate which might cause the Hatfords trouble in the future – there was something about L.A which made Neil think he wasn’t an amateur off the streets. Torn over what to do, Neil eyed him up and down a couple of times before he sighed.

“I’m not flirting,” he insisted, and when L.A. opened his mouth, flipped the knife into a throwing position. “Now, this can either end up in your eye or I can put it away, which do you prefer?”

L.A. gave him a narrow look for a couple of seconds before he huffed. “Away,” he said, deep voice tinged with something that might be respect as he waited for Neil to lower his weapon before he did the same. “Spare a band-aid before I leave?”

Neil considered the question for a moment before he motioned the thief to follow him to the kitchen. “Come on, can’t have you walking around all bloody and raise suspicion.” He wouldn’t risk the police noticing the man and then have them knocking on his door once the story about their little ‘adventure’ got out.

L.A. walked beside him (over an arm’s length away), careful attention paid to his surroundings on the way to the kitchen; he kept glancing at the various artworks on the wall as if making note of them, and then at the various items in the kitchen. Neil remained focused on the thief in return as he went to the one cupboard which stored the smaller medical kit, which he placed on the table (still out of arm’s reach). “There. I imagine an asshole like you is used to patching himself up after people try to kill him.”

The man’s eyes narrowed again, the only sign that the jab might have struck home. “Can we keep personalities out of this conversation? I think maybe you wouldn’t care to have yours brought up.”

“What? I’m an angel, ask my friends,” Neil announced as he tapped his knife on top of the table.

“Are you friends homicidal, too?” L.A. scoffed.

“Don’t know what you’re talking about, no dead bodies around here. At least, not yet. Let me know if you’re willing to change that before I waste any bandages on you, hmm.” Neil motioned to the kit.

Now the look turned contemplative before L.A. pulled the kit toward him. “Sorry, don’t plan on dying tonight. Bad enough I won’t have a nice painting to fence as it is.”

“You can always try the Dhedins’ down the street, I hear they’ve an amazing collection of Degas.” Neil offered a version of his Uncle Will’s smile as he propped up his chin on his left hand.

“How thoughtful of you,” L.A. replied in a rather dry manner which belied his words while he opened the kit and took to poking around in it. “I think I’ll call it a night after nearly having my throat slit.”

“Quitter.”

The thief grunted as he tore open a disinfectant wipe then dabbed at the cut on his throat, which barely bled anymore. “I can honestly say that this night didn’t go as I thought it would.”

“I guess that tends to happen when you’re a Larcenous Asshole.”

“Andrew.”

“Hmm? No, I’m Neil.” Had the man hit his head at some point during their struggle? Was he on drugs? Usually Neil was good at spotting those things.

L.A. sighed as he used another wipe to clean up the blood. “My name is ‘Andrew’. I’m tired of you calling me that.”

“Why, it’s what you are. You steal things and you’re an asshole, hence Larcenous Asshole. If you want, I can call you ‘Kleptomaniacal Bastard’ instead.” Neil put up with being called a ‘smart-ass’ and ‘British demon’ and ‘spawn of hell’ all the time – it was ‘sweetie’ and ‘cutie-pie’ that got on his nerves, but he liked Dan and Allison and the others so he didn’t say anything.

That and knowing his friends, they’d come up with something worse.

For some reason, L.A. looked to be in pain even though he’d already put a bandage on his neck. “I’m beginning to wish I’d let you stab me.”

“Not here in the kitchen, these tiles are from the 18th century.” Neil shrugged when L.A. took to gazing at him as if he was insane. “What, I’m not going to sit through yet another lecture from my uncle about respecting antiques.” Not after he’d used the one Damascus blade to help Davis deal with an intruder who thought to make a name for himself taking out a Hatford.

L.A. muttered something about lunatics while he ran his gloved hands over the black cap covering his head, which dislodged it enough to reveal short blond hair. “All right, I’ve reached my limit of insanity for the night. Consider me suitably punished and that I’m now reconsidering my wicked ways.”

“Somehow I doubt it.”

Neil was given a flat look as L.A. rose to his feet (he was pleased to note that the thief was shorter than him, a rare thing to discover, though he possessed a much stockier build). “Isn’t it past your bedtime, kid?”

That comment earned the bastard a rude gesture.

Neil followed L.A. back to the main room, where the man picked up a small leather bag filled with the tools he’d used to circumvent the alarm on the window (but not the one he’d missed on the lower wall) and whatever else he needed on the job. “Any problem with me going out the front door?”

“No, I’m sure it’ll be a novel experience for you,” Neil said as he pulled the door open. “Be sure to savor it.”

That time he was the one given a rude gesture.

“The Dhedins’ house is the white one with the black columns and the black and gold fence,” he called out as L.A. stomped through the door. “Be sure to pet the mastiffs for me, they love getting their ears rubbed.”

He was given the finger again. Huh, after he was nice enough to warn about the puppies, too.

Some people, you just couldn’t please them.

*******

Andrew groaned when he heard the barrage of knocking on his hotel door; at first he attempted to ignore it, except it refused to stop. Throwing the sheets aside, he stomped to the door and, after undoing the various locks, yanked it open to glare at his partner. “I have no qualms about killing you, Day,” he growled.

“Not enough sharp objects here to do it justice,” Kevin said without fear as he stepped inside; only the fact that he shoved a waxed paper bag bearing the name of the nearby bakery saved him, lack of enough sharp objects or not. “After all these years, you want to savor my death.”

There was some truth to that statement; Andrew had known Kevin for several years, ever since his first year in university, which he and his brother had only gotten into thanks to a ‘charity’ scholarship program run by Kevin’s father. It had been at the end of the first semester when Kevin had shown up on the man’s doorstep, broken and bloody due to what Riko Moriyama had done to him.

Andrew hadn’t been able to get rid of the pest since then.

“So, did you find out anything about Josten’s… what the hell?” Now that Kevin had opened the drapes and turned to face Andrew, he caught sight of the bandage on his throat. “What happened?”

“One Neil Josten,” Andrew explained as he fetched a caffeine drink out of the room’s fridge to go along with his chocolate croissant. “Let me tell you, those tabloid stories about Stuart’s nephew being some shy, meek kid who doesn’t like public outings? I wanna know just how stupid those morons are who wrote them, because there was nothing shy or awkward about that ‘kid’ last night.” Or much of a ‘kid’ at all, either.

“Wait, his nephew was home? I thought the house was supposed to be empty.” Kevin sank down on the bed when Andrew shook his head before having about half of the can of sugary coffee. “Shit, how did you get out of there? Are you in trouble?”

“Funny story, that.” Andrew’s flat tone made it obvious that it wasn’t funny at all. “Josten surprised me before I could do more than a preliminary check on one of the paintings, him and a nice, shiny knife.” Kevin’s eyes widened at that, probably as much about the weapon as for the fact that someone had snuck up on Andrew. “We had a bit of a pissing contest, but it became clear that he wasn’t going to call the cops so we backed off before it went too far. He thinks I’m a thief, but he let me go.” Andrew gave Kevin an intent look after that statement. “I might not have gotten any hard proof last night, but tell me, why would he have done that unless he didn’t want the cops to check out his place, hmm?”

“That… is rather suspicious. But I’m more concerned over the fact that he tried to cut your throat.”

Andrew waved that aside then tossed a piece of croissant into his mouth. “Tried, but didn’t.” A lot of people had tried to take Andrew down, but very few interested him as much as Josten did. No, there was something about the nonchalant way the young man had handled an intruder, had coped with the violence and been able to throw about quips at the same time, the mix of violence and intelligence and ‘go ahead, just try to fuck with me’ attitude that Josten radiated….

“While you’re out doing some work, find out about Josten for me,” he told Kevin.

“And what are you going to be doing?” Kevin asked as he stood up, already dressed for a day of impressing (bs’ing) people despite it not even being noon.

“Looking into his uncle and some other things.”

For a moment, it appeared as if Kevin wanted to ask if Riko was one of those ‘other things’ before he seemed to think better of it; he knew that Andrew wouldn’t let the prick fuck with him anymore. While Andrew doubted that Riko was in Paris because of them, he still would make sure that the man stayed as far away from Kevin as possible.

“Just make sure your work involves more than checking out new bakeries,” Kevin chided as he headed for the door. “Oh, and try to get some exercise for once. I’m going to tell Betsy and Aaron if I find out you spent the day holed up in some café with your laptop.”

Andrew gave him the finger before he shoved the rest of the croissant into his mouth.

*******

First part can be found here

Also, I think I’ll be posting one of the owed ‘you guessed right’ fics later tonight, too....

#nekojitachan fics #nekojitachanfics #how to steal a million fic #aftg #neil josten #andrew minyard #matt boyd #kevin day #dan wilds #oooh the flirting #snark #lots of snark #neil and his mouth #andrew's in trouble already

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feenyreadscomics · 5 years

Text

Team Red visits area 51

So, this is my first attempt at writing a true team Red fanfic. Anyways, for context, all three have worked together before, but Peter dosent know who DD is (just that he's a lawyer) and DD only knows that Peter is in high school. Both DD and Peter know who Deadpool is. Deadpool doesn't know who Spiderman is, but knows who DD is. Slight change to what's in Area 51. First, theres what's actually in area 51 (spoilers, not saying here) but the meme of this universe is that's where the cryptids are (vampires, zombies, werewolves, etc.) Also, the group invading Area 51 features some inserts, because at least some people need to show up to raid Area 51. Gwenpool shows up and uses her powers, so it gets a bit meta, since for Gwenpool it is a super powers thing, not a mental illness thing. All glory to @morepopcornplease ,@smokeyloki @supesofherown for willing to be my area 51 squad

Matt was tired.

There were robots everywhere. Robots on the ceiling, on the floor, just...robots. They were difficult to track, and, more importantly, difficult to punch. Matt's knuckles bled. The suit helped, but not enough.

When did Hell's Kitchen get so wild? Matt wondered. Then suddenly, Matt's world blurred and flipped. He was hanging upside down by his ankle.

"Hey, Double D! Hope you don't mind me bringing in some reinforcements!"

Ah. Spiderman. And oh look. (Or not.) Deadpool. Daredevil gagged. The stench of decay was...distinctive.

Matt started tugging at the webbing around his ankle. It wouldn't unstick. Maybe he should start weilding swords. That way, he could cut himself free and escape while he had a chance.

Maybe he could get Elekra to show him how to use knives.

Deadpool jumped past him, dualweilding katanas. "Eyyyyy! Horn head joined the party!" Matt grumbled under his breath.

Deadpool and Spiderman fought side by side, Spiderman webbing down robots, and Deadpool either shooting or stabbing them. Meanwhile, Matt gnawed at his ankle. Eventually the flow of robots stopped. Deadpool cut Daredevil down.

Deadpool and Spiderman looked around, and fist bumped. Matt coughed loudly.

"I had it under control."

"Because that-" Deadpool gestured around them "-was in control."

"Could have taken care of it."

Deadpool walked over and placed his hands on Matt's shoulders. Matt wrinkled his nose. "Red, you were punching bare metal. With your fists. Let me see them." Deadpool went to grab Matt's hands. Matt pulled them away. Deadpool forcibly grabbed Matt's hands and took off his gloves.

"See? Perfectly fine."

"Ah yes, bloody knuckles are perfectly fine. Now, Webhead has a special mission he wants to invite you on. After that, you're gonna go home to your boy and he's gonna kiss your boo boos better."

"He's not my boy."

"He could be."

"He's married, I'm Catholic and I'm not interested."

"Suurree." Deadpool dropped Matt's hands. "If you are looking for someone else, you know where to find me." Deadpool wiggled his eyebrows, which caused his mask to shift a bit. Matt punched Deadpool. Deadpool laughed.

"See ya hornhead." Deadpool walked off.

"Catholic?" Spidey asked.

"Yep."

"Hmm, ironic considering..." Spiderman gestured to Matt, "...everything."

"Yeah. Ya got a question?:

"Oh yeah, wanna go to area 51 with me and Deadpool?"

"Spidey, I have a buisness to run. No."

"Oh come on! You should."

"Why?"

"Do it for the alien tech. Do it for the meme. Do it because we don't know what the government is hiding in there." Spiderman paused for dramatic effect. "We need to know if vampires really exist. You can't keep that stuff from people."

"No, and you're going to get arrested for it." Matt sighed. "Listen, if you're going to go, can I at least give you this?" Matt pulled a buisness card out of his suit, and handed it over to Spidey.

"Nelson and Murdock, attorneys at law?" Spiderman raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah. I have them on speed dial in case I get arrested. Call them if you need legal help."

"Got it."

Matt tumbled into Foggy's apartment. Foggy materialized from his bedroom, bleary eyed.

"Here for checkup." Matt smiled.

"Good. I'll bring you some clean clothes. What bandages do you need? Do we need to call the Night Nurse?" Matt and Foggy had this check up system in place so they wouldn't have to bother her with minor wounds and Foggy could sleep soundly, such as twisted ankles and jammed fingers.

"Nope. Knuckles just need bandaging."

"Good. Though it says something about our lives that you are hurt at all, and I'm saying its fine."

"I know, Fogs." Foggy started applying rubbing alchohol to Matt's knuckles. Matt hissed a bit. "I miss the old days. When there were fewer heroes running around." Matt paused.

"Not when we didn't need spandex clad idiots?"

Matt snorted and thought about it for a bit. "Nah. I guess we always needed them."

"What did the idiots do this time?"

"They want to raid area 51."

"You're shitting me."

"Nope."

"They really are complete dumbasses. Utter morons." Foggy paused. "They'll be out of town for it, right?"

"Yeah..."

"You know where they live, right?"

"Just Wade."

"You could prank him."

"Hmmm... would you help?"

"If you can make sure he doesn't murder me." Foggy finished bandaging Matt's hands. "You're good to go. Do you need a change of clothes?"

"Yeah."

Foggy retrieved some sweatpants and a tshirt. He also got a paper bag out.

"Okay, I got a change of clothes, and a paper bag."

"Thanks, Foggy. You're the best."

"Text or call me when you're home safe."

"Will do."

Peter was out in the New Mexico desert, and it was nice. Warm. New York was cold. Peter was cold in New York. All the time.

DD thought it was because something with the Spider bite giving him a few cold blooded drawbacks. Wade thought it was because Peter was too skinny.

Which was because the bite fucked up his metabolism, he supposed.

But for now Peter was in the desert, and warm. It was pleasant.

For five seconds, more or less. He heard chatting, and decided to follow it.

He found a group of four people camped out in the desert, discussing strategies for getting into Area 51. They were all some degree of sunburned, sharing water bottles, and arguing about if they could expect anyone else to show up. Peter waved at them.

"Hello!" One of them responded.

"Oh, hey Spidey!" One of them yelled. She waved him over.

"Glad you could join us."

"We have a chance now!" One of them pumped her fist.

"Smokey, are these your reinforcements?"

"Hi, so, you're obviously Spiderman, I'm V, and this is Smokey," V, apparently, gestured to someone wearing a fedora, apparently Smokey, "Supes," V pointed to a woman in a Superman tshirt, "and Popcorn!" V gestured to a woman wearing a tank top that had "The only iron I pump is the IRON WILL OF GOD" on it.

"Popcorn?"

"She ate all the popcorn!" Smokey complained. Peter tilted his head.

"Smokey did most of the planning, including rations." Supes commented.

"Okay... I should be having a friend meet me here soon!"

"Awesome! Is he in the raid?"

"Yeah."

"Cool. We should talk strategy, while we wait for him to get here..."

So they figured that Deadpool would charge into Area 51 as a distraction. Once the guards left to fight him, the group of four would try to scale the fence. While the fence scaling was going on, Spidey would crawl through the drainage pipe to grab whatever paranormal stuff he could find. Leading an army, Spiderman would free the rest of them, allowing them to return home safely.

When Deadpool finally showed up, he laughed at their faces.

"Spidey, you're smarter than this. This isnt gonna work. Besides, I'm expecting one other person. She will help you out. A lot."

"Hello!" A loud, high pitched voice yelled from behind them.

Deadpool and Spiderman turned to see the pinkest person they had ever set eyes on.

Peter had thought Wade was crazy. Wade had thought Wade was crazy.

This was nothing compared to Gwen Poole. She was pink and energy, and mostly talked nonsense. Something about this all being fanfiction, and a disappointing lack of panels. Also, according to her, one of the four "self inserts" was "the author."

Wade thought he could keep up, but no. Whatever the fuck voices were in his head paled in comparison to whatever Gwen had.

Like, Deadpool occasionally thought he was in a comic, but she seemed to be able to do something about it. Dead silent explosions because "I caught the otomotapeia," inexplicable escapes...

Cuz if there's real weird shit in there, she can handle it.

As is though, she kept calling one of the people "the author" and it was making his own head spin. That's... not normally how this went. But she'd be going with the four civilians in. She'd be able to keep them alive.

And so it begins.

The plan started to fall apart immediately.

Deadpool was doing fine, Spiderman was doing fine.

Gwen and V were in a heated arguement.

"What do you mean, you didn't write any scenes inside area 51?"

"I told you, I don't know what you're talking about! Besides, don't you have powers? Can't you do something about it?"

"Not in a fanfic! Not in normal literature! The format matters. I can manipulate comic panels, not THIS SHITSHOW."

"Uh, guys? I think the Feds are here." Popcorn piped up.

"Hands up!" A man yelled. They all slowly put their hands up.

Deadpool made it in. He found a cat named Goose in a cage. He picked it up and continued running through the halls.

He ran into Spiderman. Literally. They both shouted.

"Glad to see you're alive! Do you know where Gwen's squad went?"

"Yeah, I saw them getting arrested just before making it in. And look! I found a cat!" Wade proudly held the cat up to Peter. Voices shouted from behind them.

"WADE! WE NEED TO GET THEM!"

Oh. Right.

"So, any ideas?"

"Stop!" A voice called out behind Deadpool.

The duo ran through the halls, left and right, trying to lose the gaurds. Spidetman opened a door they found, a supply closet. Spiderman opened the cage, and sat the cat on Wade's lap. Spiderman threw the cage down the hall.

"What the fuck was that for?" Deadpool furiously whispered.

"Distraction," Spiderman whispered back.

The guards immediately opened the supply closet. The cat hissed. Then, he opened his mouth. Wide.

Tentacles shot out from the cat's mouth, wrapping around the guard. He let out a shriek, cut short by Goose swallowing him whole.

Deadpool and Spiderman looked at the cat, eyes wide.

"I like you," Deadpool declared, firmly.

The other five were in a metal truck.

"Do you have any way out?" Smokey asked.

"No. We're gonna be tried for treason." Supes commented.

"If only the others could get us out of here." V added.

"Wait. That's it."

"What do you mean, that's it?"

"I can get out of here. You wrote something just now of Spidey and Deadpool back at Area 51. I can go there now, let them know where we are, which is in a metal truck, headed to... damn. Don't know definitively, but it's a shot. Just give me a moment..." Gwen pushed on something, and floated up into the ceiling.

"Well, this just got worse," Smokey commented.

"Hey guys!"

Wade screamed.

"Woah, Gwen, how'd you get here?" Spidey sounded shocked.

"The writer mentioned you in Area 51, so I could come over to visit, through some medium manipulation. "

"Great job, Pinky. Now, where's everyone else? And do you know what the fuck is going on with this cat?" Wade held out Goose.

"No idea. The writer didn't bother informing the audience of their exact location, and two, the cat is a flergen. Now, let me think." Gwen started pacing around the supply closet, muttering to herself.

"Hmmmm.... wait a minute.... I got it!" Gwen shrieked and snapped her fingers. "Ma- DD, gave you a buisness card for himself. Give it to me, and I'll bring it to them, and they'll be able to call him to lawyer them out." Gwen held out her hand. "Gimme." Reluctantly, Spiderman handed it over. "Thanks, Webhead!" Gwen pushed upwards again. Then, she was gone.

Thud!

Gwen fell back into the truck, then grabbed for something.

"Soooooo, what's the plan?" Popcorn asked.

"Sit tight and get Matt Murdock to lawyer us out. He's a crack lawyer, and considering this is fanfic, I imagine he'll be great at it."

"M'Kay." Popcorn said, rolling her eyes.

Matt Murdock was a bit busy at the moment. He was busy saran wrapping Wade's pillows. Foggy was trying to cram a rubber duck into a shampoo bottle. Well, Wade's shampoo. Foggy didn't get why the guy had it (Wade was bald) but he figured he'd ask no questions. Just prank.

Matt's phone rang. An unknown number. He picked up.

"Hello! This is Matthew Murdock. Who is this?"

"Hello, this is Gwen Poole, friend of Spiderman, in need of legal counsel. Would you be able to help?"

"Where are you? Is Spiderman or Deadpool with you?"

"No. I'm with four other civilians. We are in New Mexico."

"Shit. I can't exactly make it over there."

"Shit."

Foggy yelped in surprise, then cheered. "Got it in!"

Gwen thought for a bit. "What if we book an airline for you to get here."

Matt thought about it. "That could work."

The next morning, Foggy drove Matt to the airport, grumbling the whole way.

"They're idiots, Matt, you shouldn't have to save them." Matt began staring (as best he could) at his hands.

"Its a Catholic guilt thing, isn't it?" Foggy sighed. "Fine, go be a lawyer hero while I singlehandedly keep the firm running. It's a good thing I'm the brains of Nelson and Murdock, while you're the beauty."

"I'm not the brawn of Nelson and Murdock?"

"No, that's Karen." Matt cracked a smile.

Foggy pulled up to the curb. "Keep me posted. Let me know when you're coming back and how it goes."

"I will." Matt got out of the car, and grabbed his suitcase.

He waved as Foggy drove away. Deep breaths, Murdock. You can navigate an airport and plane, he thought. Matt entered the airport.

A few hours later, Matt landed in New Mexico, where he couldn't get off the plane fast enough, then took a taxi to where they were being held.

He raised hell. He got everyone (except for Gwen) released that night. New Mexico state troopers had never seen the fury of a Matt Murdock scorned.

Apparently, since everyone was in the middle of the desert, and needed supplies, the threat of death by dehydration was enough to get them all off. Gwen, however, was stuck back in prison, because she was armed, and various other crimes due to being the leader of MODOK. As far as anyone could follow.

Everyone then boarded a plane back to New York.

"Did this just happen?" V asked. "This feels crazy.

"It it really is," Smokey agreed.

Something in the overhead compartment shifted. The stewardess opened it, and Gwen jumped out.

"Thank you!" She said to the stewardess. "Man, that was cramped. Good to be out in the light of day!"

Wade Wilson was looking forward to a relaxing night at home, after the craziness of the past few days. He had Goose tucked in his one arm. He opened his apartment. Little rubber ducks were everywhere. Over the counters, on the bookshelves. He opened the fridge. There was a rubber duck.

Goose meowed, then tentacled the duck.

"That's cannibalism, Goose." Wade put down Goose, then went to nap. His cheek hit saran wrap.

"Fuck you, Murdock!" Wade yelled.

Thanks for reading! I tried to have Gwen's powers make sense, but it's...difficult.

#area 51 #matt murdock #wade wilson #peter parker #daredevil #deadpool #spiderman #team red #fanfiction #fanfic #original content #and some character inserts #hope i didnt ruin anyone's character #oh yeah #gwenpool #gwen poole

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askthelittleassistant · 5 years

Text

You Got A Friend In Me pt.2

((Second part, coming right up! After this y’all’re free to ask to yer heart’s content, time to get the real party started!))

“Hang on, hang on, mind running that by me one more time, while we’re seating properly?”

Shop, without thinking, tucked Dark into her hoodie pouch and hopped back up into the chair, struggling a bit to pick herself up as she jumped up and clambered onto the table with a huff. Soon she remembered where exactly she was and her feverish courage quickly wore off as she stuffed her hands into the hoodie and held Dark, fidgeting with him whilst she quickly made her way closer to Henrik as he took his seat.

“Ah, well, I take it you know why he came here?” Henrik gestured vaguely as he rubbed his forehead.

“Uh… well, he didn’t actually… tell me, but, I assume it’s ‘cause of… Anti?” There was a hint of worry as she spoke his name.

“Ja, Dark came here to discuss what could be done to better… ‘control’ him; he was admittedly upset when I had said we don’t actually have much control over him… I suspect he must have been messing with Marvin before he ah… well-” “Before some kinda magical mishap happened and turned Dark into this?” Shop pulled the doll out and held him up, his brows raising and lifting to simulate an annoyed eye roll as he seemed to hold onto her fingers for added support, though she couldn’t help the small smile that curled on the edges of her lips at the thought of what sounded to be a rather passionate discussion over her safety.

“Unfortunately, that seems to be the case; we tried to have Marvin reverse the effects, but as you can see, it ah… only got worse… I can have him come back out to try again and-”

“No no, we’re not gonna do that.” Shop mused aloud, even the little Dark in her hands managed to turn his head just a bit as a reaction to the statement. “I’m sure Marvin feels very bad for what he did, but you should give him time to figure out how to reverse this. Properly.” She leaned in to emphasize the importance of the matter.

If Dark could speak, or even just emote more than simply moving his eyebrows into a raised position to suggest surprise, he would actually be commending Shop on such a… mature decision. From his experience with her, she always chose the faster, though often times, more risky route to solving her problems. This was… different...

“A-are you sure? You are welcome to stay if need be!” Dark snapped back to the conversation, not even realizing he had been spacing out, deep in thought as Shop tucked both him and her hands back into the hoodie pouch.

“We’ll be fine Henrik, I promise, it’d be nice to head back home for a few days anyway. Besides, you have my number now, so you can always call when you all get all this magic stuff figured out, cool?”

“Ja, I suppose…” Henrik briefly removed his glasses to rub the worry from his face before addressing Shop again. “Would you like me to join you to the door? I would like to see you off safely.” He refrained from mentioning anything about also making sure Anti hadn’t left the house, again, to practice with his knives in the woods, believing this might worry Shop to no end, based on her previous encounter with him.

He’d be right.

Shop nodded quickly, stopping herself while rubbing her thumb against Dark’s yarn head of hair. “I wouldn’t mind, thanks Doc.” She quickly added before finally bringing her hands back out to walk to the edge of the table to climb down; Henrik stood up and quickly walked over to where she was headed, hands held up in an offer. “Oh my dear, you do not need to climb down if you wish, I can carry you over, seeing as you will have a long walk ahead of you!”

Shop hesitated, flexing her fists as she looked up to german doctor before gingerly shaking her head. “I don’t mean to offend you, but I don’t think I know you well enough to just let you carry me, sorry... I’ll be fine, no worries!” Her tone brightened towards the end of her response, but Dark could feel her nervous heartbeat quicken at the offer, and he was sure her body must have been tense, even as he was jostled around again as Shop made her way down back to the floor before being bounced around with no sense of direction, hardly listening to anything being said above him as he tried desperately to control his arms and grab some fabric to steady himself, to which he actually managed to do by the time he heard the other two say their goodbyes.

“I will be sure to call you as soon as we have got a solution, safe travels!”

“Thanks, but you guys better take your time with that stuff, we’ll be patient, promise!”

Dark jumped as a hand snaked back into the hoodie pouch and cupped to hold him, the distance movement of Shop waving as she stepped away from the cabin continuing to jostle him, though this time it was more bearable thanks to the hand holding him in place. Though, it wasn’t long before he was getting dragged back out into the open air, only having a moment to admire the expansive scenery before being brought face to face with a sincerely worried face looking him up and down.

“H-hey bud… are uh… how are you doing?...” Shop was obviously nervous and worried, though she was trying to swallow that fear to make sure Dark was ok, not that she was doing a very good job at it.

Dark motioned a sigh and bounced his hand on its side in a ‘so-so’ motion, managing a shrug at the same time.

“Yer doing ok?.... Well I guess that’s good then, it’s good to see you moving too, especially with how I found you…” Shop recalled as she walked down the trail, more questions popping in her mind. “I guess my biggest concern right now is if you’ll be able to walk with those spindly legs of yours.” She joked as she used her free hand to tug gently on his foot, warranting some angry eyebrows and aggressive shooing from the doll’s hands.

“Ok ok, sorry! Just curious! Did that hurt?...” Dark shook his head in response. “Huh, well, I guess I’d be annoyed too if I were you…” Shop walked on in silence, her arms tucked into her sides as she held Dark as a comfortable level, looking around the woods cautiously for any signs of danger before she felt a small tap on her palm, looking down to see Dark was gesturing to her to get her attention.

“Hm? W-what’s wrong bud?” Dark pointed up at Shop, flapping his arms up and down before shrugging. She was confused by this gesture, nearly forgetting the event that had ultimately led to all this, making her straighten out as she solved the little puzzle. “Oh! Are you wondering why I don’t just fly us home?” Dark gave her a solid nod of affirmation, which made Shop stop walking to think. Why WASN’T she flying them home? It suddenly felt like rocks fell in her stomach, and she couldn’t hide the worried and almost scared expression on her face. In truth, she was actually scared of what became of her wings, and if somehow she would be shot down again like first and only time she truly got to fly free.

Dark noticed his assistant’s concerned expression immediately. Still, he was proud that he was able to convey the right message to her, even if her fast response implied that she too had been thinking about it. Her frozen stature was starting to get worrisome, so he gave her hand a few more commanding pats to snap her out of whatever was going on.

Shop shuddered and snapped back to reality and out of her thoughts, raising Dark to meet eye to eye. “Sorry bud… just, thinking.” She said quietly before going to walk again, her steps a bit shaky now. “I just… you reminded me of my wings… I kinda got scared… we don’t really know what’s happened to them…” She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, opening them back up with a spring in her step. “We can worry about that later though! I feel alright, and I think we have a more pressing matter at hand-” She smiled as she lifted him up to emphasize her joke, which earned her an scowling eye roll as the manor came into view.

#shop writes #toy!dark #g/t #giant tiny

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escapingreality1992 · 5 years

Text

Carving with a Sorcerer

Stephen Strange x OC

Stephen Strange comes over to carve pumpkins with Hailey and confesses that he has a crush on her.

Weather in New York provided the perfect atmosphere I wanted to carve pumpkins. I had bought one for each member of the team plus extra in case others wanted to join in on the fun. With it being overcast and little cooler, I decided to set up a station outside; I didn't want to create a mess inside the compound with all the pumpkin goo and seeds. As I started, I noticed several team members leaving.

"Hey, wait a minute. Where are y'all going?" I asked. Steve, Bucky, and Natasha while they approached the car port.

"Harvest festival in Brooklyn. We're going to spend the day there," Steve told me.

"That's today? I thought you may want to carve pumpkins with me,"

"Sorry Hails. We can do some carving tomorrow if you like," Bucky stated, pulling me into a hug before they went into the garage. Tony and Rhodey, joine by Bruce were the next to exit the front entrance.

"Don't tell me you're leaving too," I complained. It started to look like I was going to be carving pumpkins by my lonesome self. Tony gave me an apologetic smile.

"Sorry. Danvers invited us for drinks. Do you want to come with us?" he said.

"I want to carve pumpkins, so no. Thanks for the invite though," I replied. Wanda and Vision shortly followed them and I ran to block their path.

"No, no, no. Where are you two going?"

"Scotland. We're going to go sightseeing," Wanda replied, linking her arm through Vision's. I sighed and waved goodbye to my friends. Everyone left, leaving me alone to start my process of carving pumpkins. I carried all but one pumpkin inside, two at a time, and set them back on a less frequently used kitchen counter. Grabbing my newspapers I had purcahsed to spread out along the ground to catch the dropped messy bits, I returned outside and set them near my pumpkin. I made a few trips back and forth, grabbing supplies and placing them where I wanted my work space to be. On the third trip to grab the trash can and trash bags, I got a surprise visitor; Stephen Strange walked into the lounge by portal.

"Hey, what's up?" I greeted him.

"Good afternoon, Hailey. Where's Tony?" he responded.

"Out,"

"What about the others?"

"Also out," I replied, pushing back a piece of hair from my face. 'Oh' was all he said making me stop what I happened to be doing.

"Stephen? Is there something you wanted or needed? Is there trouble?" I asked him.

"No, there's no trouble. It's nothing all that important. I only wanted to see if anyone wanted to grab dinner," he told me.

"Sorry to disappoint you. It's only me tonight," I said, knowing he'd rather hang out with anyone other than me. Though Stephen and I were friends, we weren't exactly close enough to where he chose to hang out with me; or so I thought. I continued what I was doing, the plans to carve my pumpkin still intact.

"Where did they go?" he asked, stopping me in my tracks.

"Well, Steve, Bucky and Natasha went to a Harvest festival in Brooklyn. Tony, Rhodey and Bruce were meeting Carol for drinks. Wanda...and Vision were going to Scotland to go sightseeing but I have a feeling they're going to do more than explore the castles," I replied, picking up the heavy trash can to walk outside.

"They didn't invite you? Any of them? Let me take that. You look like you're struggling," he commented, taking the trash can from my hands.

"Thanks. Uh, Tony asked me if I wanted to come with him and Rhodey. I said no. I planned on carving pumpkins today. I thought they might join me but that's apparently not on their agenda for the day,"

Stephen followed me outside and set down the trash can near the newspapers. We went back inside and I grabbed the long, plastic, white table I pulled out earlier to carve the pumpkins on.

"I've got it. Do...would you like some company?" Stephen said, his fingers brushing across mine as he grabbed the handle on the side of the table.

"You want to carve a pumpkin?" he nodded and smiled, the lines around his eyes crinkling as he did so. "Okay, sure. I'll grab you a pumpkin and then we can set up the table and newspapers," I stated, walking to the counter with all of the other gourds. I chose a bigger one, similar to the one I picked for myself, and followed Stephen out the door. I placed his pumpkin next to mine and helped him set up the newspapers and the table. I took the lid off the trash can and taped two trash bags to the table in case we needed them. Next we placed more newspapers onto the table taping them in place, so they didn't fly away. We grabbed out gourds and sat them on the table.

I handed him one of the knives and we got to work cutting off the top and starting the process of digging inside of the pumpkin, dismantling the goop from their centers.

"Did you want to grab dinner after we finish this?" he asked, momentarily stunning me.

"You don't usually ask me to hang out with you," I answered, pulling out a huge chunk of pumpkin guts.

"I realize that. I've recently discovered you may be someone I could have fun with. The other reason I'm asking is because we don't know when the others will be back so we may want to eat something," he commented.

"We could order a pizza. This could take a while," I told him, scraping the walls to loosen up some of the tougher strands of seeds, sticking my hand back in to grab the section I separated.

"Sounds good. Why don't you ever me?"

"What?"

"Why do you never ask me to hang out with you? We may not exactly be close but you could always just ask," he responded, grunting as he ripped out a huge handful of seeds, disposing of them in the trash bag near him.

"I don't know. I've always assumed you're busy. And you're around Tony most of the time anyway. I feel like I can't discuss the subjects you guys talk about. You're both geniuses in fields I can't relate to," I told him. He laughed and removed the last of the seeds and pulled out a template from one of the books I picked out.

"True, but you're intelligent in you own way. Yes, you may not be able to converse in science, medicine, or technology. Maybe not in magic terms either, but you're a genius in being compassionate and kind. It's an ability I've always admired about you,"

"How can you be so nice to people you've never met? Accept anyone with open arms and an open mind? How is it you can calm a room simply by being in it? Do you even realize you're a great listener?" he stated. I had stopped my motions to stare at him while he spoke. I didn't know he ad even noticed me apart from missions or parties; even when the team participated in movie nights or simply hung out with each other.

"I'm not sure what you mean. It's not some superpower I have. It's simply who I am," I told him, almost speechless from his words.

"I watched you with Steve the other day. I don't know what you were talking about but when he first came in, appeared stressed. After a few minutes spent with you, I noticed tension releasing within him and he smiled for the first time that day. In ten minutes, he was relaxed, instantly calm,"

"You have an amazing ability to be able to put people at east like that. I'm sorry. Even talking to you now, it's easier to let it all out. You make me feel like I can open up more. Relax a little more," he continued. This time he really did make me speechless and I did the only thing I think of to do in that moment; carve my pumpkin.

"If I made you uncomfortable-,"

"You didn't. I just didn't expect...I hadn't realized you noticed anything about me. We're friends of course but I thought it meant you were content in only treating me as such," I cut him off, beginning to tape my own template - a cat carving - onto my pumpkin. Awkward silence settled in between the two of us and I pondered over his words, not paying attention to the small carving saw. My fingers moved erratically trying to get it done so I could call in a pizza.

"Be careful. Don't rush it," Stephen told me, glancing over for a moment. He pushed in his last section, completing his design. He had made a scary face on his pumpkin and I focused on my own telling him I would be careful not to cut myself. I got so focused in fact that I didn't notice him walking over to me. I jumped when I felt his breath against my neck, his fingers gliding over mine. I tried not to inhale his scent; musky with dark with hints of old parchment from books that he often studied. The smell of ink also caught my attention where he would run his fingers gently over those same pages. I failed to ignore the fresh mint on his breath, the warmth of his fingers from where they had been gripping his own tools. The hum of the magic coursing through his veins, vibrated into my body and I tried not to stiffen lest I make a mistake and cut off the cat's ear, or worse cut myself.

"Relax your grip a little here," he whispered in my ear. I shivered and shifted my stance to try and distract my thoughts of him near my body. My breath caught in my throat as one of his hands drifted over my arm to my shoulder, down my back and securing to my side. I let him guide my hand through the carving once more and push the sections out to show off the design.

"We should...uh...put candles in them. Set them out on the steps," I told him, clearing my throat, stepping away from him before I I let my desire for him take control.

"All right. Then we can order pizza," he stated. I nodded, turning on the small LED candles I brought outside. I placed one in mine, the other in his and we replaced the tops of the pumpkins before walking them over the front steps, both pumpkins flickering with a Halloween vibe. We went back inside to wash our hands and I called in a pizza before we cleaned up our mess outside. I was putting away the table when the pizza arrived, Stephen answering the door to pay for it. I peeked around the corner in a way so he wouldn't notice my eyes on his ass. I trailed them up to see the muscles ripple in his back through his shirt as he grabbed the two pizza boxes, averting my eyes when he turned to walk into the kitchen. We both grabbed a few slices and put them on a plate, setting them on the table in the lounge going back for our drinks.

"I have to confess something," Stephen stated in between bites of the pepperoni pizza.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I wanted to be alone with you tonight, so I asked everyone to clear out. I apologize it it seemed as if they didn't want to hang out with you," he replied.

"Why on Earth would you want to do that?"

"Because I like you. A lot. I thought that was obvious from the discussion earlier," he confessed. I blinked at him in surprise.

"You...like me? I have to tell you I didn't see that coming," I told him.

"Does that mean you're not interested in dating me?" he questioned, frowning.

"No, it doesn't mean that at all. Of course, I'd love to date you. Can I ask you one thing though?" I responded.

"Sure,"

"Kiss me?" He smiled, putting down his slice and wiping the sauce from his mouth.

"I'd be glad to," he stated, sliding closer to me. He slid one hand to the back of my head, the other wrapping around my waist. He leaned in and pressed his lips to mine, soft and filled with passion. I linked my hands around his neck, kissing him back. Our lips disconnected for a second before I pulled him in for more, pushing him flat on the couch, so I was lying on top of him, never breaking the kiss.

"Ahem. I guess you finally told her then, Strange?" someone called out, making us stop our kissing and sit up to see Tony, Bruce and Rhodey standing in the doorway.

"Yeah. She took it extremely well," Stephen commented, cheeks flushed deep red from our make-out session.

"I can see that," Tony noted.

"Right. So, Hailey, I'll call you later to set up a date. I should return to the Sanctum. It's getting a little late," Stephen said, kissing me for a final time when I nodded and then left via a portal.

"What? We carved pumpkins together," I said when all three of the men raised their eyebrows.

"That's not all you did. It's about time he told you he liked you. I couldn't tell you how many times he talked about you, how many times he asked if you were single. I thought he might have exploded when he thought you and Barnes were a thing. You remember that day, he got injured and you helped him upstairs and immediately removed his shirt? Yeah, he got a bit upset about that. He has got some crush on you," Tony commented. I smiled and cleaned up, putting the leftovers in the fridge. I said goodnight to them, going down the hall to my room; my lips still tingled from where Stephen had kissed me. It was definitely a great way to start our relationship.

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awriterorsomething · 5 years

Text

The Carnival

It was that time of year again. The leaves were changing colour, the air was getting cooler, and every store you walked into had a seasonal section; filled with scary masks and black and orange decor. It was the best time of the year. Molly Thatcher was convinced that the feeling you get when that first cool breeze hits you was the best feeling in the world. During these autumn months, she would be thriving. She would watch all the scary movies, drink all the hot chocolate and cider, and spend her free time enjoying the weather.

Molly was sixteen years old. She lived with her mother; her father passed away when she was a baby, and she had no siblings. She was homeschooled, and all her friends lived in a different city, ever since her mother forced her to move to where they were now. She was an introverted girl, to say the least.

One afternoon when Molly was going through the news section of her internet browser, she noticed a short article saying there was going to be a fall carnival coming to town, starting that weekend. There was rarely news about where she lived, so this was surprising to begin with, but a carnival? She thought that was ridiculous, in the best possible way.

On the opening day of the carnival, Molly woke up early, showered, scarfed down breakfast, and biked as fast as she could to the spot where everything was being held at. She was thoroughly excited. She only wished her friends could be there with her.

As soon as she got there she locked up her bike and ran inside. It was a Halloween wonderland — it was everything she had hoped for.

The smell of carnival food and decaying leaves settled underneath her nose. The different sounds of the games and rides were echoing throughout the park. Every direction she looked there were people dressed in, surprisingly well-made, costumes. She saw vampires, werewolves, witches, clowns, and much more. A huge smile widened across her face. It had been a while since she felt this happy.

Molly spent the entire day going on rides and eating junk food. She watched all the characters interacting with everyone, and laughed from a distance whenever they would give someone a scare. Nothing really scared her, not anymore at least. She grew up on horror movies and chilling stories written up on the internet, and she enjoyed reading up on the folklore surrounding different types of monsters.

As she sat down to take a rest, one of the characters had sat beside her. It was a man dressed as a vampire.

“Hello Miss,” he said, showing off his pointed teeth.

“Oh, hi.”

“I noticed you watching my friends and I scaring the kiddies around the park, you like scaring people?” he asked, his voice low.

Molly felt a little uncomfortable, but she thought, they were in a public place, and this guy was probably just trying to do his job, so it was probably safe.

“Yeah, I guess so… being scared is fun, especially knowing it’s all fake.” She took a sip of the drink she had sitting next to her — her taste buds danced as soon as the pumpkin spiced beverage washed over them.

“Interesting,” the vampire said, with what seemed to be an impressed look on his face.

He continued, “how would you like to see our night show? It’s kind of like, a VIP only event, and I have a feeling you’d have a good time.” He smiled at her, showing his teeth again.

She gave an unsure smile back. “Um…”

“I don’t need an answer right now, I’ll let you think about it. You still have some time before the sun starts hiding.” He got up from his spot next to her, “either way, go have some fun. I hope we see you later,” he said, then brought his cape in front of his face with one arm, and winked. Molly laughed as he proceeded to walk away.

By the time it was time to close up the carnival, she decided she would take the offer, and stick around. So, she went to find the vampire. It wasn’t long before she did though, he was standing near the exit, giving people one last scare before they went home.

“Hey!” she called.

The vampire noticed her and smiled, “you decide to join us?”

“Yes! Thanks for inviting me, I just can’t get enough of this place,” she exclaimed.

“Neither can I,” he said.

After a few more minutes of saying goodbye to the guests, he took Molly to a large tent near the middle of the park. As they walked in, Molly noticed that there were two other people there. They sat in foldable chairs in front of a small stage.

“Go on, find yourself a seat. The show will soon begin.”

Molly counted three rows of six chairs, and she chose to sit right in the front. She wanted the best view she could get. The other two kids, both boys a bit younger than Molly, were sat one row behind her, though they weren’t sitting next to each other.

She eagerly waited for the show to start.

Before long, the lights closed in on the stage, and Molly started clapping; she was the only one doing so.

The vampire walked out onto the stage.

“Welcome!”

Molly ceased her applause. She felt like the only guest in the room.

“I’ve brought you here tonight because I could tell that you were special. You love fear just as much as we do, and we thought, what a way to celebrate than to throw our own little party!” He held out his arms, showing off the width of his wondrous black and red cape.

“Are you ready for a show?” he asked the small audience.

Molly nodded her head excitedly.

“Let’s begin!” The curtain closed, and the lights went out for only a second before moving over the seats.

Before the show really began, a vendor dressed as a mime came by and gave each of the kids a small bag of popcorn, and a stick of cotton candy. No charge. Soon after, the lights went out again and the curtain opened up.

Standing on the stage was a woman dressed as a witch. She had a cauldron standing in front of her and she was stirring it. Smoke seeped out from inside the pot, and you could hear whatever was inside bubbling.

“Good evening children. As you can see, I’ve brewed up something special for our special guests.” She stopped stirring and put one finger into the liquid, she lifted it to her mouth and tasted it. “Mmm, that does taste divine, would anyone like to volunteer to be my judge?”

Molly shot her hand up.

“Hmm, what about you, dear?” The witch pointed to one of the boys sitting behind Molly.

Molly’s face dropped in disappointment. The witch saw this and nodded at her as she gestured the boy to come onto the stage. Molly smiled.

The boy made his way onto the stage without a word.

“Now, I hope you’re ready for the treat of a lifetime. This recipe is over a hundred years old!”

The boy grinned, and the witch poured some of the liquid into a cup using a ladle that was previously set beside the cauldron.

“There you go, take a nice big drink,” she said, exposing rotted teeth.

He put the cup to his mouth and slowly starting sipping. The more he drank the better it started to taste, and he downed the entire thing.

“Wow! That was great! Thanks!” His voice was childlike.

“Would you like some more?” the witch asked, handing him another cup she had filled while he was drinking the last one.

“Oh, yes please!” He grabbed the cup and gulped it down. “That was almost better than the first—”

He froze. His eyes were wide and distant.

In a split second, he transformed into a small goat.

Molly gasped, but she started clapping out of amazement. This was the best magic trick she had ever seen. She wondered how the witch pulled it off.

The other boy in the audience slowly started clapping as well, although he felt unsure about the whole thing.

The witch bowed, then put a leash on the goat and walked off the stage with it. The curtain closed again.

Not long after, another show began. This time a clown stepped onto the stage, and he brought a large spinning wheel with him.

“Hi there, kids! Nice t’meet ya!” He took a frivolous bow, then gestured toward the wheel, “would anyone like to come up here and try out my wheel of fun? I’ll strap ya in real tight so ya won’t come spinning off!” he chuckled.

Molly raised her hand again, stretching as high as she could, but the clown looked past her.

“You in the back… yes, you… come up here young man!”

“I… I don’t know…” said the boy.

“Come on, it’ll be fun!” the clown insisted.

The boy stood up cautiously and made his way to the stage. He was nervous — you could tell by the way his hand was shaking when he reached for the railing alongside the steps that led to the stage.

Molly was starting to feel frustrated. Why would they invite her if they were just going to ignore her? She kept thinking to yourself. She became so caught up in her thoughts that she didn’t realize they already strapped the boy onto the wheel and started spinning it. She snapped out of her trance when she heard the clown let out a roaring laugh.

“Oh, what fun! Isn’t this so fun?” The clown turned to Molly and saw she wasn’t as happy as she was when she first got there. He frowned and turned back to the spinning boy, who was now yelling, but it was hard to differentiate between it being a fearful or an excited type of yell. It didn’t really matter anyway, not to the clown at least. He was too upset to care, and he was determined to make Molly happy again. With his back still facing her, he took three silver objects out of his back pocket.

Molly curiously adjusted in her seat when she saw whatever was glimmering against the lights above.

The clown took two steps back, raised his hand full of the shining objects, and threw them directly at the spinning wheel. Molly flinched, as the boy abruptly stopped yelling. Then the wheel began slowing down.

“Ta-da!” The clown turned around and took a bow.

As the wheel came to a complete stop, Molly saw what had been done.

She aggressively stood up from her chair, spilling her popcorn all over the floor in the process. “What did you do?! You killed him!” she yelled while gesturing towards the stage.

The boy, still safely strapped in, had three knives sticking out of his torso; small pools of blood surrounded each one, staining his fall themed shirt.

The rest of the characters started walking onto the stage, all of them with a confused look on their faces.

“We were just having fun… I thought you liked fun…” the clown said, frowning. A woman dressed as a werewolf put her hand on the clown’s shoulder to try to comfort him.

“Fun?! You’re all insane!” Molly started running away from the stage, but before she could make it to the exit, all the lights went out, and someone grabbed her from behind.

Molly woke up in a small room, surrounded by too many characters to count. They were all leering over her, waiting for her to come back to consciousness.

“Where am I?” she asked, still in a daze.

She was sitting on the floor, and tried moving, but they had her in what seemed to be a straight jacket.

“Let me out of here! Let me go!” She was struggling now.

“Oh, we can’t do that… you’ve seen too much,” said the vampire, as he pushed his way through the crowd of people.

“I won’t tell anyone, I promise!” she pleaded.

Ignoring Molly’s efforts to convince them, the vampire said, “it’s such a shame… we all thought you were the one; that you were different. I guess not.”

“What are you talking about? You killed that boy! And what happened to the other one?!”

The vampire laughed, “I thought you liked fear, Miss Molly. Don’t you like watching people get scared?”

“That’s not fear, that’s murder! You’re all murderers!” she screamed.

All the characters seemed to laugh now, and as they did that, Molly started to see their true forms. They were all disgusting, dirty, and real. She could really see it now. She didn’t know why she couldn’t before, she thought they were all actors, but the only act they put on was disguising who they really were. The werewolf was slobbering and growling; the clown had blood red eyes and sharpened teeth; the witch’s skin was bubbling with warts; and the vampire (the ring leader) now had pointed ears, the skin of a corpse, and long fangs dripping with saliva. She couldn’t believe it. All the stories she read, the movies she saw, and the research — it was all real.

Through the growling, moaning, and laughing, she could barely hear herself crying.

“Are you scared, Molly?” the vampire asked, now with a significant accent, as if he just stuffed a wad of cotton into his mouth.

She didn’t respond.

“Let’s get to the point: Molly, we can’t let you leave now. We were never going to let you leave, if I’m being honest. We thought you would want to stay, but now — unfortunately — we have to do this the hard way.” The vampire leaned toward Molly, and she turned away from him. She could smell his rancid, coppery breath.

He continued, “we want you to join us, Molly. We want you to be one of us. You could scare people forever,” he flicked one of his fangs with his thumb and winked at her. “We really do think you’re special. Those other two were just for show, we knew we wanted you, but we needed some volunteers to prove to you that you’d enjoy our work… though, I suppose you didn’t enjoy it,” he scowled. “That doesn’t matter though, I know eventually you will like it, or else we’ll just have to kill you!” he laughed, and everyone else laughed with him; the room was booming with noise.

“No… please don’t. I don’t want to stay here, I want to go home…” she wept.

“Oh, that’s another thing, if you refuse to join us, we’ll have to go after your mother, too It’s just a formality,” he shrugged.

“What?! Stay away from her!” Molly screamed, struggling to break free of the jacket.

“We’ve done this sort of thing before, we don’t mind doing it again.”

Some of the other monsters started cheering.

Molly was sobbing, her tears leaving miniature puddles on the floor.

“It’s okay, if you join us you won’t have to worry about anything ever again. We’ll protect you, and your mother will be safe. We can even give her some good luck, isn’t that right my witchy friend?” He turned to the witch from the stage show.

“Oh yes, my girls and I could most definitely do that,” she said with enthusiasm.

“See? Everything’s fine — everything will be fine, I promise.”

Molly looked up, rubbing tears out of her eyes; her sixteen years of life flashed before them. She saw her mother, her friends, and the sadness that loomed over her; something she never really noticed, until now. She didn’t want to be sad anymore, and she didn’t want her mother to be sad anymore, either. Maybe this would be a good thing, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.

She sat there, sniffling and thinking.

“Well…?”

“Fine. Fine, okay? Fine!” she blurted out.

“Really?! Huh, that was easy. I knew there was something about you.” he said, smiling bigger than ever.

She surprised herself when she agreed.

There was no turning back.

Molly was nineteen now. It had been about three years since she was recruited. Since then, a lot had changed. One of her friends in the carnival had altered her mother’s memory so that it was like Molly never existed; the same with all of her friends from back home. Molly was like a ghost now, but she was surprisingly happy. She wasn’t at first, that was for sure. She spent countless nights crying and regretting her decision; she missed her mom and her old life. But eventually, she decided it was time to toughen up. The vampire who brought her into the community promised to turn her once she was of age, so they waited until she was eighteen to do so. Since then, she’s been very well fed, and she’s been having more than enough fun. Her love for scaring people really did flourish after joining the others. The vampire was right, she would learn to enjoy all of it, even the murderous parts. Her life was better than it had ever been before. She didn’t know that this was what she needed until it happened to her.

And soon it would be her turn to start recruiting.

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Across the Frozen Sea ch6

Star Wars the Clone Wars, Ahsoka/Barriss/Riyo

Across the Frozen Sea summary: Ahsoka, Barriss, and Riyo find themselves stranded in the Pantoran Taiga. They must get back to civilization, but the wilds are more dangerous than they realize. If the cold doesn’t get them, the locals will.

First Chapter : Previous Chapter : Next Chapter : Last Chapter

Chapter 6: Breede Ice Ferry

Overhead, the afternoon sky is blotted with a thick layer of dark clouds. Between the County of Bravado and the Duchy of Defiance runs a natural border: the Breede River. Many ships, freighters, and private boats traverse this river every day, but in the colder months, when the surface of the river has frozen over, they must all be retrofitted. Smaller boats are equipped with removable blades under their hulls, essentially making them sleds. Bigger ships and yachts, like the Breede Ice Ferry, have durasteel plows installed on the prow. These monsters cut through the ice with ease, leaving behind chunks of ice. Because of this, the parts of the river with the most traffic have almost no bits of ice left intact.

What's good good? And what's good evil? And what's good Seppies? And what's good people? And why's the Force have no comment when I com-call Them? If They holo-d, hallowed or hollow, would I watch 'Em then? The answers are negative every now and then Keep all these sentiments under a keycard then

Ahsoka sits on one of the lounge chairs on deck, and inhales deeply as she composes in her head. It's not as elegant as Riyo's work, or what she imagines Barriss' to be—Ahsoka's sure that Barriss does it too, no matter how firmly she says otherwise—but she figures she could do it too.

The ferry is moving fast enough to whip the crisp, cold wind into her face, and it's full of the scents of fish and pine and the floral and woodsy smells of the soap and perfumes of the other passengers around her. These Pantorans are dressed in embroidered coats and shawls lined in fur. The handles of their knives—worn openly on their hips and waists—are engraved with gold and silver, or are scaled in antler. Unlike Riyo's plain behemoth of a knife, these are much smaller, more decorative.

The women have coiled and braided hair, which are pinned in place with gold ornaments, not unlike how Riyo's hair usually is while she's on duty as a Senator. A few men puff on pipes carved from horn and wood.

A few younglings run past, laughing. They're chasing a sled dog, and after a few moments of chaos in which the adults lift their cups of caf and tea up out of their way, and a couple chairs are knocked over, they run off towards the stern.

Barriss sits in the chair next to Ahsoka. In her lap are the padlocks she collected from the Kortzeer garage and from Countess Xola Mafoo, totaling four all in all, but instead of practicing, she's busy staring at the people around her.

"Riyo, did you spend all of our credits on our tickets? This ferry is more well-to-do than I expected," Barriss says.

Riyo has abandoned her ruined suit for a new set of warm clothes. They're not nearly as nice as the clothes worn by the other passengers. In fact, they're rather plain, but Riyo still manages to wear them well. Under her knitted slouch hat, her hair has been pulled back into a simple bun. She sits at a small table near them with a newsflimsi and a small pot of caf. Riyo glances up at the Jedi and turns to the next page of her flimsi.

"I initially requested tickets for a different ferry line, but when they ran my identichip, they immediately gave me discount tickets for this ferry instead. It happens all the time," Riyo says. She sets the news flimsi over the table and makes a couple folds. She rips the flimsi along the folds, then tucks the flimsi into an interior coat pocket.

"What did you find?" Ahsoka asks.

Riyo reads and summarizes for them. "According to the news, the Summit is running smoothly under the direction of Duke Rommeruk Cho. Chief Thi-Sen and Cho are being civil and no one has been ejected."

"Duke Rommeruk took your post? I thought Sprekker Jok would have taken over as mediator," Barriss says.

Riyo leans back in her seat to look at them. "You're right, that is odd. I wonder why Sprekker didn't volunteer."

"We're going straight to Sprekker when we reach Defiance, right?" Ahsoka asks. Riyo nods.

"The newsflimsi says that he's been heading the investigating into our disappearance, so he must have some insight as to who is responsible."

"I still think it's Cho," Ahsoka says. "The guy doesn't like the Talz. I mean, I get why he doesn't, but doesn't that mean he has motive to sabotage the Summit?"

Barriss gives her a chiding look. "That motive could be applied to roughly half of the Assembly, because the late Chairman Cho was the leader of an entire political party. Any one of its members could be responsible for our abduction. If sabotaging the Summit were the goal of our abduction, then the Summit would have dissolved by now."

Riyo folds the flimsi back up and pushes it away. "As if any politician worth their salt would ever do something for only one reason. At any rate, if this ferry makes good time, then we might make contact with Sprekker by end of day today."

"And what about the bounty on us? Is it on us, or just you?" Ahsoka asks.

"Just me. The client is anonymous. What progress have you made, Master Jedi?" Riyo asks.

Barriss closes her eyes and holds her hand over the padlocks. After a few seconds they pop open one after the other.

Ahsoka whistles, and she and Riyo clap their hands. "Way to go, Barriss!"

"Thank you." Barriss picks them up and pushes them closed again. "But it's still a bit too slow for my liking. I'm trying to see if I can do it faster."

A flash of annoyance comes from Riyo in the Force, and both Barriss and Ahsoka turn to find her frozen, her hands open-mid clap. She's not looking at them, but instead is frowning at the wood paneling of the deck next to her table. There's nothing there, so Ahsoka follows the tilt of Riyo's ear. At the table behind Riyo sits a middle-aged couple. They're speaking in low voices, but not in a language that Ahsoka recognizes as Pantoran. It must be some regional dialect that Riyo understands, however, because the longer she listens, the more scandalized she looks.

"They must be talking about us, because they keep glancing in this direction," Barriss whispers. She tugs on the collar of Ahsoka's parka. "Don't stare, you might intimidate them."

Ahsoka's heart sinks. "But I haven't done anything."

Barriss gives an apologetic smile and takes Ahsoka's hand. She squeezes. "Yes, you're a big softie, but the fact remains that the both of us have been stared at the moment we stepped foot on this ferry. There isn't a lot of diversity on this moon and these people have probably never seen a Mirialan or a Togruta before."

"Have you come across something like this before?" Ahsoka asks.

Barriss' nose wrinkles, and she lowers her eyes. "When it's in one of the languages I happen to speak, yes. Some people have said the most scandalous things about me. And about Master Unduli."

"Oh, that is it!" Riyo turns around in her seat towards the couple, who gape at her. Riyo talks to them in their dialect, her voice harsh and scathing. The woman gasps, and her hand goes to her neck. The man turns purple. Around them, the rest of the passengers quiet down to eavesdrop, but a group of young socialites watch the unfolding scene with schadenfreude delight. One of them stuffs a gloved knuckle into his mouth to keep from laughing out loud.

The couple answer back, sounding rather offended. The man gestures to one of the deckhands, who cringes and steps towards them, but steps back when Riyo turns her glare upon him too.

Then Riyo switches to Basic. "I dare! Let me repeat myself then, for the benefit of the entire ship: the amount of filth that spews from your mouths is extremely distasteful and embarrassing. You will stop and apologize to my friends, or I will have the crew take you out with the rest of the trash."

"Take us to the Captain!" The man shouts at the deckhand. He stands up and offers a hand to his wife, who sizes Riyo up and down with distain.

"You will regret this when you and your…friends are thrown off the ship."

"Then I must enjoy the time I have left. Go, you are dismissed." Riyo waves them off. The man starts forward, enraged, but his wife and the deckhand pull him away. Riyo watches them go, then turns to survey the rest of the deck. As if on cue, everyone else averts their gaze to their newsflimsies, data pads, and to their snacks. The low murmur of casual conversation picks up again as if nothing happened.

The group of young socialites, however, burst out laughing. They pick up their food and shuffle their playing cards together, then make their way across the deck towards Riyo. The one with the bite marks in his glove smiles down at her, his eyes bright.

"My name is Nanuk and this is my wife, Yuka, my in-law Ujarak, and our very good friend, Osha. May we join you?"

"Please. My name is Riyo," Riyo says, and the five of them push tables together and get enough chairs for everyone to sit. Riyo beckons to Ahsoka and Barriss. Ahsoka rises from the lounge chair to shake their hands.

"Hey, I'm Ahsoka Tano."

"Jedi Knight Barriss Offee," Barriss gives a short curtsey before joining them. Oops, maybe Ahsoka should have included her title as well.

"They are both Jedi," Riyo says and the socialites give vague noises of interest, like they don't quite understand, but are happy for them all the same.

"The same Jedi who command the GAR in the war?" Ujarak asks. They share the same shape nose and mouth with Nanuk's wife, Yuka.

"Yes," Barriss reluctantly admits.

"The war hasn't reached here on Pantora, thank the Gods. We don't have to bother ourselves about it at all. We must thank you for speaking up, Riyo. You have no idea how badly we've wanted to do that. Most of us on this ferry have been traveling together in a group tour for the past two weeks, and the Jaheems made every bit of that trip miserable for the rest of us. Do you play?" Osha, a tiny thing with thick spectacles perched on her nose, shuffles the deck of cards.

"Take a breath!" Nanuk says, and Osha blushes.

"Apologies. I know I talk faster than light speed."

"I feel seasick," Yuka says, and everyone stops and looks at her. Nanuk frowns and rummages through his pockets.

"Did you take the motion-sickness tabs? I have them somewhere."

"The medicine makes me feel sick too. You know traveling like this disagrees with me, Nanuk."

"You say this as if I made you do this when it was all your idea. I suggested we go by private ship, but you insisted on gawking at the scenery."

"There you go, blaming me when things go wrong…."

Nanuk and Yuka drop their voices as they continue to talk to each other in Pantoran. Osha and Ujarack sigh and turn to give them some privacy.

"Uh, are they okay?" Ahsoka asks.

"Please ignore them; they do this sort of thing all the time," Ujarack says. They're cut off when Yuka bursts into tears. She stands up, almost knocking her chair over in the process.

"Please excuse me." She turns and practically runs away, wiping her face on a fine handkerchief. Nanuk groans and slumps in his chair.

"Aren't you going to go after her?" Ujarack asks.

"Tell me this, Ujarack, tell me this; why is it that every time I try to do something for her, I somehow make things worse?"

Ujarack shrugs helplessly and pushes their cocktail towards him. "My sister's always been like that, despite our parents' best efforts."

Nanuk sighs. "Thank you, friend." He downs the drink and hurries off after his wife.

"Yikes," Ahsoka says.

"How long have they been married?" Barriss asks.

Osha removes her glasses and pulls a cloth from her pocket to polish the lenses. "Not long. We don't quite know why they got married in the first place. We weren't aware they had anything in common."

"We introduced them to each other," Ujarack says.

"Whatever it is, we cannot do anything about it." Osha puts her spectacles back on and tucks the cloth back into her pocket. "Shall we play?"

The engine of the ferry, which has quietly rumbled beneath their feet all this time, goes silent. The ferry slows to a stop in the water. Barriss gently puts her hand on Ahsoka's arm.

"What is it?"

"We've stopped. Are we supposed to stop?" Ahsoka looks around for anything out of place, but finds nothing.

Ujarack chuckles. "Watch out, Riyo! The Jaheems are having you thrown overboard."

"Ha ha," Riyo says in a deadpan voice, but before she can say anything more, several bounty hunters climb aboard the ferry. One of them wears a familiar snow leopard mask, and they survey the deck until they see Ashoka.

"You!" The Leopard draws their blaster and aims it at her. One of the other bounty hunters tries to grab their hand.

"No! Remember the plan; we're here for the Senator!"

"I don't care! She killed my friends!"

PEW PEW.

Everyone hits the deck, screaming. Barriss grabs Riyo around the waist and pulls her down, and Ahsoka lifts the table and throws it clear across the deck. The Leopard dodges it, but it hits the other bounty hunter, who goes flying into the railing and crumples into a heap before the table lands on him.

PSSHEW. Ahsoka's lightsaber jumps to life in her hands and she gets into a stance. More bounty hunters come from the other side of the ship to surround them.

PEW PEW PEW.

Ahsoka deflects the blaster bolts with ease. "What do we do? We can't fight all of them without putting everyone in danger."

"We're right next to a lifeboat. We'll take it to shore." Barriss climbs over the railing, then hops down onto the covered lifeboat.

Riyo goes to the railing, but hesitates. "We have to get them to follow us."

"What?" Barriss asks. She tears the covering off of the boat and tosses it away.

"The bounty hunters must follow us. It's the only way to ensure the safety of all the passengers," Riyo says.

"I don't think that'll be a problem!" Ahsoka keeps blocking more and more blaster bolts in between banishing chairs at the bounty hunters. They've tipped a couple of the tables over and are crouching behind them, only showing themselves to shoot at her. The other passengers crawl out of the way until they're relatively safe, then retreat down to the other end of the ferry.

Barriss helps Riyo climb down into the lifeboat, then shouts, "Ahsoka, let's go!"

Ahsoka jumps and does a backflip onto the lifeboat. When she lands, the boat lurches dangerously, and Riyo grabs onto the edge of the thwart she sits on. Barriss staggers, but manages to stay standing.

"Cut it loose!" Barriss yells. She and Ahsoka swing their lightsabers through the chains holding the lifeboat aloft, and the boat falls onto a large, jagged, chunk of ice, cracking the hull in two. Riyo tumbles out of the wreck and onto the ice, dazed.

"I'm all right," Riyo mumbles. Ahsoka puts her lightsaber away, then leaps down and picks her up. Before them, the surface of the river is a cracked and churning mess of ice and water caused by the traffic of the ships and by the natural flow of the river.

"I did not think this through," Barriss mutters to herself as she gets up and brushes herself off. Behind them, the ruined lifeboat sinks beneath the water.

Above them, the bounty hunters lean over the railing of the ferry and take aim.

PEW PEW PEW.

"I did not think this through! They have the high ground!" Barriss shouts as she frantically deflects the blaster bolts.

"Which way?" Ahsoka asks Riyo.

"Huh?"

"Which side of the river is Defiance on?"

"Oh! That one!" Riyo points to the riverbank directly in front of them.

"Barriss, let's go!" Ahsoka sets off with Riyo still in her arms. She and Barriss jump from ice floe to ice floe, sometimes using the Force to jump across several yards of water. Eventually, the blaster bolts stop coming.

"Are they following us?" Riyo asks. The three of them pause and turn to look. There, cutting across the river at a breakneck speed towards them, is a speedboat laden with the bounty hunters.

"Oh. That must be how they got to the ferry in the first place," Ahsoka says. Barriss gives her a look of utter disbelief.

"If they catch up to us, then you can congratulate them in person."

"Let's go!" Ahsoka turns and they continue to run, but the speedboat closes the gap and soon enough, they start shooting again. Ahsoka and Barriss duck and weave until they get to shore. The blaster bolts go wide and sink into the surrounding ice and water, releasing steam.

The bank of the river is overgrown with trees. Ahsoka and Barriss climb onto land and keep pushing forward as fast as they can, but their clothes are caught on branches and bushes and must be pulled free. Ahsoka sets Riyo down on her feet.

"We are leaving a trail a blind kit could follow," Ahsoka says.

Barriss tugs her cloak free of a snag and winces when the branch snaps off. "What do we do then? Fight?"

"Spread out! They're in here somewhere!" One of the bounty hunters shouts. Judging from the sound of their voice, they're not that far away.

"Do you remember that time on Geonosis when I asked you to hide in that cave?" Ahsoka asks. Barriss frowns.

"You mean when you told me to wait in the cave?"

Ahsoka nods. "Uh, yeah. Wait. You're gonna have to wait again."

Barriss' frown deepens, but she doesn't say anything further.

Back on Geonosis, when Ahsoka went alone into the wilderness to hunt for her starving troops, she came across a Massiff. It was already old, but it was a huge, hellish thing, with bony, armored hide, round, soulless eyes, and a ridge of spikes growing out of its back. It could still eviscerate her if it wanted to.

It wanted to.

They stared at each other from across the desert, sizing each other up, and Ahsoka knew that if she wasn't careful, it would slaughter everyone who came out here with her. If she didn't do something soon, it would attack her first.

When Ahsoka killed the camel, she smeared its blood all over herself to entice the massiff to follow her instead. If the massiff thought she—a punk upstart interloping in its territory—was injured during the takedown of the camel, then it wouldn't attack; it would just wait for her to die. It would follow her to make sure she died, and if it were following her, then it wouldn't be waiting to ambush Anakin or Rex.

It worked. The massiff tailed Ahsoka through the desert, waiting, waiting, waiting for her to succumb from whatever injuries she appeared to have. Constantly lingering on the edges of Ahsoka's field of vision. And anything Ahsoka killed, it would leave alone, because its chief concern was making sure Ahsoka died.

And then Ahsoka saw Barriss walking in the desert too; a bright beacon of purple and green against a sea of red. And there was the massiff only yards behind her, coming too close out of curiosity.

Thank the Force that Ahsoka got to her first. It could have been so awful, and she felt pretty bad that she could have gotten Barriss killed. Ahsoka didn't tell Barriss what was going on (she might have dropped some clues in her panic), but she did walk Barriss to an abandoned cave.

And when Ahsoka was sure that Barriss was safe, she went back out into the desert and killed the massiff.

The things she does for that girl. The things she kriffing does. If Anakin ever found out that Ahsoka wouldn't kill a massiff for him, he would never let her live it down.

Ahsoka pulls down a branch of the nearest, overgrown bush to peer inside, but it's too dense in there. Barriss and Riyo would never fit. She inspects a couple other bushes before she finds one she likes.

"In here. Do not come out for anything, no matter what you hear. I'll come back for you."

Barriss nods and takes Riyo's hand, and the both of them huddle together in the bush. Ahsoka releases the branch again, and it bounces back into place. She carefully moves the foliage together to cover up the disturbance, and when she's satisfied, she walks on, purposely breaking leaves and twigs as she goes. When the bounty hunters find their trail, they'll follow it past their hiding place and walk straight to her instead.

The trail curves around and back towards the river, and when it leads far away from Barriss and Riyo, Ahsoka stops laying it down and begins to silently stalk through the trees. The bounty hunters make no attempt to muffle the sounds they make as they comb through the forest. They shout at each other in Pantoran, and their machetes chop through the foliage with ease. Ahsoka slowly makes her way to the nearest bounty hunter. He's a big, big man, stocky and helmeted. There is no one else in sight.

Ahsoka circles around him until she's just behind him and opens herself up to the Force. With how thick the trees are, there could be other bounty hunters on the other side of the next tree and she wouldn't know, but through the Force, she knows that they are practically isolated.

She draws her lightsaber hilt and darts forward.

BVVVWN.

PEW PEW PEW.

The lightsaber goes through the bounty hunter like he's nothing, and he shouts and pulls the trigger of his blaster. But Ahsoka doesn't stop and keeps going past him until she disappears into the trees again. The bounty hunter is dead before he hits the ground.

The others shout and start shooting too until they figure out that there is nothing to shoot at, and the forest falls silent again. Ahsoka climbs a tree to get a better view. If they're smart, then they'll regroup and search together.

"Keep going!" Someone shouts, and the rustling starts up again. Ahsoka smiles and drops out of the tree behind the Leopard.

Gotcha, she thinks as she activates her lightsaber again.

Barriss crouches with Riyo in the bush, her hand on her lightsaber. Ahsoka's footsteps have long since faded away, leaving her with one question.

What if this doesn't work?

It's not that Barriss doesn't have any faith in Ahsoka; quite the opposite. But what if they are underestimating the skills of the bounty hunters trying to find them? It's only the practical thing to ask.

A scream rings out through the forest, and there's a short burst of blaster bolts before the forest goes silent once more. There aren't even any birds chirping.

If one of the bounty hunters comes this way, and looks into the bush, then Barriss will fight. She'll tell Riyo to run, and then she'll hold them off to ensure her escape.

Another scream. Another pop of a blaster. In the Force, the bounty hunters' uneasiness grows into panic, and they start shouting at each other.

"What are they saying?" Barriss whispers to Riyo.

"They're, er, they're calling to each other, but some of their friends aren't answering. They're getting scared because they're getting picked off one by one. They're…they're going back to the river. They're running away." Riyo reaches for the branch of the bush, but Barriss stays her hand.

"It could be a trap, meant to lure us out of hiding."

But the branch is pulled away anyway, and Barriss lunges out of sheer terror, stabbing out with her lightsaber.

BVOOSH.

"Whoa!" Ahsoka leans back so that the blue blade of Barriss' lightsaber misses her head by a couple inches. "It's just me."

"Ahsoka!" Barriss turns off her lightsaber and jumps up to envelop her in a hug. Ahsoka hugs her back with one arm. Relief floods the Force around them.

"I said I'd be back," Ahsoka whispers.

"So you did." Riyo steps out of the bush and brushes herself off. "What is that? Did you bring us a gift?"

Barriss pulls away and looks down. There, in Ahsoka's other hand, is the limp body of the Leopard. Barriss steps back in horror. "By the Force, you are an overgrown tooka! Ahsoka, why?"

"Because no one knows they're dead! They've got a comlink and in that comlink might have the com code for the person responsible for abducting us. Come on, give me some credit. I didn't drag them all the way back here for nothing." Ahsoka kneels down next to the body and begins stripping off the mask and the armor. She hands these to Barriss.

"Put these on."

"WHAT?"

"Well, I can't impersonate them, I'm taller and heavier and my montrals won't fit in the mask."

"And I suppose I'll have to play dead to give some credence to our ruse. We'll trick the patron into revealing themselves." Riyo says.

Of all the loper-brained schemes Barriss has ever heard, this one is by far the worst, and this is coming from someone who suggested death as a contingency plan. Barriss holds up the Leopard's clothes and shakes them. "They stink. I hope you realize that. This person must not have had a bath in weeks."

Stink is an understatement. These clothes smell like five million unwashed armpits, like they were fished out of a rubbish bin, like they were marinated in rotting eggs. Ahsoka and Riyo cringe in agreement.

"Strange, I thought leopards liked water," Riyo says. Ahsoka snorts and turns away to hide a smile.

"Jokes? Now? Really?" Barriss asks. She feels so betrayed.

"I'm sorry. I'm just relieved that we're all still alive." Riyo tries and fails to school her face into something more neutral, but Ahsoka bursts out laughing.

Barriss drops the clothes onto the ground and crosses her arms over her chest.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry too, Barriss, but you gotta admit that we have a pretty good opportunity here. Just put it on, and it'll only be for five minutes, and I'll owe you one," Ahsoka says as she wipes away a tear on the back of her hand. She picks the clothes back up and holds them out to Barriss.

"We'll both owe you one," Riyo says. Barriss points at them both.

"Fine." Barriss unbuckles her cloak and pushes it into Riyo's hands, then grabs the clothes from Ahsoka. "I'm going to change. Over there. Don't look." Barriss ducks behind a tree and regards the clothes again. She's smelled better in the grimy Coruscanti Undercity, and she resists the urge to gag. This is such a mistake. She pulls the shirt over her head and really does gag this time.

Ugh, this is the worst thing she's ever done. And all because Ahsoka suggested it. The things she does for that girl….

Not a minute later, Barriss steps back out from behind the tree. She trips over boots that are several sizes too big. In fact, everything is too big, from the body armor, to the gloves, and even the pants. The pants threaten to drop, despite the belt being cinched on the smallest notch, and Barriss tugs them up.

"Here, I found this burner on them, but I can't read Pantoran." Ahsoka gives a cracked data pad to Riyo, who swipes and taps through it.

"There's only one com code on it. It must be the Patron's code." Riyo sits down next to a holocomlink and enters the code, but doesn't press enter. "Where do you want me?"

"A little further out. We don't want you to be too close, or he might notice something," Ahsoka says. Riyo scoots back until Ahsoka gives her a thumbs up.

"Will you play dead too?" Riyo asks. She hands Ahsoka Barriss's cloak and lies down. Ahsoka folds the cloak into a neat bundle and tucks it under her arm, then leans down and arranges Riyo's limbs. She throws some leaves over her too, to give off that freshly-killed vibe.

"Nah, I'll be watching from behind that tree. I really wanna see this guy." Ahsoka jerks her thumb over her shoulder at the tree line, then turns to Barriss. She squints. "Barriss? Is that you?"

"Can we get this over with? The longer I wear this getup, the more I long to depart from the Living Force." Barriss says.

Riyo bites her lip to hide a smile. "The good news is that the com call will have to be as short as possible. The longer it goes on, the more time the patron will have to figure out our trick."

Ahsoka's lip curls as she sizes Barriss up.

"Not a word," Barriss says.

"Okay! This should work as long as you don't say anything." Ahsoka ushers Barriss to stand before the holocomlink, then swipes through a cracked data pad. "I found this burner on them, and there's only one com code on it. It must be the Patron's code."

Ahsoka picks up the Leopard's arm and backs away, dragging the body with her. "I'm gonna hide behind this tree."

A nervous whine escapes Barriss's throat, and she reaches for her.

"You'll be fine! Just stand there and point to Riyo. Oh, and nod if he asks you something. Or shake your head. You're gonna be great!" Ahsoka and the Jaguar disappear into the brush.

"Break a leg," Riyo whispers from the ground. She turns her head and closes her eyes. In the following silence, a bird call sounds from far away.

Barriss would take a deep breath to ease her nerves, but if she does, the stench will make her vomit into the mask. She should just get it over with, like ripping off a stubborn Bacta patch, and not think too much about what she's doing. Barriss crouches down and presses the 'call' button, then straightens up.

After a few moments, the holocomlink sputters to life, and blue light springs from it to make a grainy, flickering hologram. Barriss takes a few steps back to give the hologram more space.

A figure appears, wearing a cloak with a deep hood to obscure his features. He opens his mouth, and in a distorted voice, and to Barriss's horror, he speaks to her in Pantoran.

Barriss freezes and changes her mind. This is the worst thing she has ever done. The figure stops talking and seems to wait expectantly. Barriss is lost until she sees Ahsoka poking her head out of the brush.

Point at Riyo, Ahsoka slowly mouths. She also pantomimes it.

Barriss jerks, then mirrors Ahsoka's movements to point at Riyo. The figure turns to look, and he starts talking again, only this time sounding more fascinated. He talks again, then pauses as if expecting an answer. Barriss glances at Ahsoka, but Ahsoka can only shrug.

What an awful plan; undone by a language barrier. The figure chuckles as he stares down at Riyo's still body, and talks again, and Barriss cannot help but feel the doubt churning in her gut.

And then the comcall ends, and the blue light sputters out. Barriss stares down at the holocomlink until Ahsoka comes out of hiding and plucks it off the ground to turn it off. Riyo rises from the ground and goes to Barriss.

"Are you all right, Barriss?" Riyo asks.

"I ruined it, didn't I?"

"You did just fine. It couldn't have gone any better." Riyo pulls the leopard mask off of Barriss' head, freeing her to the fresh, crisp air. She drops the mask onto the ground.

Barriss stares. "It worked?"

Riyo nods. "The Patron probably thought you were quite dumb, but he thanked you all the same and promised to transfer you half of the credits, then the other half after you've delivered my body. He said he'd send the coordinates for the rendezvous to the burner data pad."

Ahsoka laughs and picks Barriss up. "It worked!"

"Whoa!" Barriss laughs as Ahsoka spins her around. "Ahsoka, put me down!"

"We're gonna catch this guy with his pants down! We're gonna arrest him! And we're gonna take his credits anyway!" Ahsoka gently places Barriss back down.

"We can't take his credits, that's evidence," Barriss says.

The burner data pad beeps, and Riyo looks at it. "Huh. The rendezvous is scheduled to take place in a couple days just outside Defiance."

"Does that give us time to rest?" Barriss asks.

"Yes."

"Good. Because I need a bath. I stink." Barriss pulls off the gloves and throws them down in disgust.

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#star wars #star wars the clone wars #Ahsoka Tano #barriss offee #riyo chuchi #fanfiction #fanfic

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