uhm... 👉👈 Ray hitman AU? maybe? if you were up for it? pretty pretty please? 🙏

-For those who don't know I made a shitpost about Ray being a hitman because I looked up housing prices in Los Feliz (and how medical debt works) and SIR HOW THE HELL DO YOU AFFORD THAT HOUSE ON A PHOTOGRAPHER'S SALARY.

-It starts when one of the Petal Pushers has a very abusive, stalker ex. She had tried everything, but even with a restraining order, it isn't enough. Law enforcement just shrugs and suggests she moves (again) after 'someone' breaks into her house, ransacks it and kills her cat.

-It's not like Rose and Ray meant to kill him. But it's what happens. They manage to make it look like an accident. They never tell Violet, but deep down she knows.

-Somehow word gets around and they suddenly have a booming side hustle of taking out abusive spouses, partners, exes, stalkers, etc.

-Ray starts to take on the most of the wet work, with Rose doing the research and being his alibi.

-He's always been a great shot. He won Rose so many stuffed animals at carnival shooting games that they had to start donating them to shelters.

-They do have very strict rules on who they work with and who their targets are. Ray gets very good at stalking people with a giant long distance tele-lens. Both the people who hire them (to make sure they're telling the truth) and the targets.

-The prices they charge vary, and they even have perfected the scheme of 'take out life insurance on him and we get half of the pay out' for people who are in a bad financial situation. Those are trickier because he has to make the deaths look like an accident.

-Listen I'm not saying a few of the plants in Rose's Plant Wall in the studio are toxic. Of course they aren't, they have children running around in there.

-The ones under the grow-light in the attic though....

-He tells everyone he's a photographer but really, he only knows how to work the tele-lens. Rose jokes he could become the world's greatest paparazzi if he wanted to.

-Rarely does he get up close and personal with the targets, but he did made an exception once when 'My Ex Is An Abusive Scumbag number 87' really, really wanted Ray to know the client was right by going after his kid from his first marriage, because his favourite target (their client) wasn't there to take his rage out on.

-He starts hitting the gym after that because it was a liiiiittle too close for comfort.

-As spoken by @floating-in-the-blue: THAT'S WHY HE'S SO FIRM.

-They buy a big house and have money to send the kids to summer camp and fancy music school and the likes. When people ask he just smiles and shrugs and said he signed an NDA so he can't talk about most of his Big Photography Clients.

-Carlos and Julie think their dad is the biggest goober and he totally is. He forgets where he put his phone because he's too busy with the 700 other details of his job. He can tell if any of the parts of his work-toolbox have been moved even a millimeter.

-Just imagine Reggie like: wow Ray really does a lot of research about his photography clients, I wonder if it's like an engagement shoot or something.

-IT WAS NOT AN ENGAGEMENT SHOOT. There was a shooting, though.

-He's a little shell-shocked but still follows Ray down to where he meets the client to promise her it's done, and she cries and tells him thank you and mentions some of the awful things the guy has done or threatened to do, and then he gets it.

-They stage it to look like a break-in gone wrong. Reggie helps knock some shit over when they're distracted like: he's a ghost there are no finger prints. He stays after Ray leaves and watches the woman 'come home' and call the cops. She's either a really good actress, or the tears are just more tears of relief.

-He's really, really glad the abusive guy didn't come back as a ghost though, that would have been so awkward.

-Reggie decides that Julie can never, ever know.

Survey #433

“i really wish that you could help, but my head is like a carousel: i’m going ‘round in circles”

Would you rather visit Rome or Spain? Rome. Do you really care what’s going on in celebrities' lives? Depends on the person. If I have a big interest in them, like Mark, then yes, because I care about that person and want to know they're well. Have you ever broke a plate/bowl? Accidentally. Has anyone ever drunk called/texted you? I don't think so. Can you do a backwards London bridges? Hell no, I'd bust my ass and spine. Are any of your pets “overweight”? Why the quotations? But anyway, no. Has anyone ever bought you a ring? Yeah. What has been the most traumatic experience of your life? Does it still bother you? The breakup with my first real bf. And well yeah, it resulted in PTSD. It sounds so overdramatic, I know, but I'm not even remotely exaggerating. Live a day in my head and tell me it's not actual trauma. If you knew you had the right person, would you marry them today? God no, not right now. I am not in a position to be married right now. Think back to your most important relationship, was it all your fault it’s over? My damaged side wants to say yes, but I know to be realistic, we both failed in unique areas. He didn't communicate, and I just put too much weight on him. What was your first alcoholic drink? A Mike's Hard Lemonade. What were the first lessons you ever took? Ummm I want to say choir? Did you ever go to a mental hospital? Multiple times. Do you believe that weed should be legalized? Yes. Have you ever had a significant other with a mental disorder? Yes. If you could transform into something, what would that something be? Uhhh idk. Maybe a cat? Out of 10, (10 being really shy) how shy are you? Oh, easily a 10. When was the first moment you discovered love? I actually don't really know the moment I realized I was in love w/ Jason. It was a gradual thing, so no one occasion stands out. What’s the best mistake you’ve ever made? Well, I suppose accepting Jason's Facebook friend request because I thought he was a different Jason. I can't think of many good mistakes I've made... Even the one I mentioned, it's debatable how good that one was. I really do wonder how different my life would be if I declined it. What do you think of frogs? I love frogs! They're so cute and derpy. :') Who did you last worry about and why? My cat, because he was apparently hiding somewhere and Mom couldn't find him. Who did you last feel sorry for and why? Sara, because of health stuff she's dealing with. Is there a name that you can’t stand but it’s the name of a loved one? It sucks, I feel like this burning in my stomach a lot of the time when I hear "Ashley" because that was Jason's girlfriend after me. But I have a sister with the same name. Are you currently looking for a new place to live? I'm not, and I don't think Mom actively is, though we both want to move. When did you last make up a baby’s bottle? I don't think I ever have. Well... maybe once? idr Do you believe there’s a devil? No. Have you ever felt an earthquake? No. Have you ever been on an island? Yes, actually. Did you watch the last presidential inauguration? I've never watched one. Have you ever been a fan of The Killers? I don't consider myself a true "fan," no. I only like two songs that I know. Do you have your own lighter (why or why not)? No, because I don't need one? Do you believe in miracles (why or why not)? No. I just don't. Everything has the have a cause and reason. How often do you sleep naked? Never. Are you looking forward to your prom? If you already went, how was it? I went twice, and it was fun. I especially loved having the pictures taken that I regret wiping from the face of the earth. Prom itself was pretty bland each time, like you can't hear shit and they just play awful music, but still. I was a teenager with a very fairytale outlook on love and wanted to just feel like I was in one I guess. Do you prefer Quizno's or Subway and why? I don't think I've ever tried Quizno's, actually. What’s one of your best memories from during a rain storm? I don't know. Why did you need your most recent x-ray and what were the results? It was to see if I broke my foot, I think? If that's the one, then no. I also had my legs x-rayed at some point to see if they could find any damage there because of my extreme weakness in them, but there wasn't. Do people more often mistake you as being younger or older than you are? I actually don't know. Have you ever made out with someone you weren’t dating? No. Do you know anybody who was abused? Yes. Have you ever touched an elephant? No. How many siblings do you have? I have five I "count," but I do have another half-sister on my dad's side that I don't know. I want to, but yeah... it just hasn't happened. Do you get bored of your girlfriend/boyfriend easily? I've never gotten bored of any s/o I've had. Who do you want for president? I voted for Biden. Do you think abortions are horrible? No. Forcing someone to undergo what can easily be considered a traumatic experience is horrible. Do you enjoy drama? Ugh, no. Have you ever had a guinea pig for a pet? I've had a few. Were you/are you popular in school? No. I was very much under the radar and mostly stuck to myself and a small group of friends. What brand clothing do you wear the most? No clue. Have you ever studied any new age or occult religions such as Wicca? Yes, actually, when I was leaning towards Neo-Paganism. I did research into some of its branches, such as Wicca. Are you a wrestling fan? Not at all. I honestly think it's dumb. What’s the longest movie you’ve ever watched? I want to say Troy? It never felt THAT long to me though because I love it. Have you ever been on a subway? No. Do you think spending a ridiculously large amount of money on one designer item is stupid? It sure as hell isn't for me; I lean towards people can spend their hard-earned money on whatever they want, BUT I do feel that they could still spend their money on more important things. Do you find baths relaxing? No, they gross me out. Do you have any hats? I probably still have the hat Dad got me at a Carolina Hurricanes hockey game somewhere, but idk where. Has any part of your house ever been flooded? Not on the interior, no. Have you ever been interested in learning about murderers or murder cases? Not especially. Is there anyone that you’re worried about right now? Who and why? I'm just about praying Sara's new med for her POTS helps. I think me worrying how Jason is doing after his mother's death is gonna be a permanent fixture in the back of my head... If you won a lot of money, would you donate any of it? To what organization would you donate it? Oh, absolutely. I'd have to do some research first, but the Trevor Project comes to mind immediately, as well as ones that protect wildlife, help the mentally ill, fight cancer... Are you a competitive person? What are you most competitive about? Not really, no. I have my areas where I'm more likely to feel it than others, but it's generally mild. I'm not too sure what I'm most competitive about, but maybe outdoing other hunters in WoW since that's my main class that I've played religiously for years. Have you ever adopted a stray animal? Yes. What do you appreciate most about your parent(s)? The fact they somehow still support me even though I'm like... this. I feel like I should've exhausted their faith by now. Do you believe America should legalize drugs? If you think they should legalize only some drugs, which drugs do you think they should legalize? I only support the legalization of weed. What is your biggest turn-off of a person (besides physically)? Arrogance, probably. Or being aggressive/explosive. What song cover do you like better than the original? "Sound of Silence" by Disturbed, for one. That one's easy. If you could find one long-lost friend of the past, who would it be? Megan. I want her to know I forgive her and miss her friendship. What holiday do you enjoy the most? Christmas. (: Were you born in the state you live in? Yep. Have you ever lived in a house that has been broken into? No, but almost. Who do you know that watches the most sports? Probably my dad? Idk. Do you like South Park? Not really. Are you good at bowling? No. Made out for more than 3 minutes? Three minutes is nothin' lmao. Have you ever gone snorkeling or scuba diving? If yes, what’s the coolest thing you’ve seen? No, but I'd love to. What’s your favorite filling in chocolates? Caramel. What do you remember from sex ed class when you were younger? Abstinence was the only option. Heteronormativity. What’s the first instrument you ever played? Ha, a recorder back in elementary school. Have you ever had a friend break up with a bf/gf for you? Essentially. We didn't date, but that's why he broke up with her, because he wanted me instead. Do you see a bright light at the end of your tunnel? I don't like thinking about this. I can only hope there is, but I doubt it a lot. Have you ever waited in line overnight for something? No. Is there such a thing as being too rich or too poor? "Too poor" is very obviously a thing??? "Too rich" is more complicated to me, as I can see both sides to it. Like it's your hard-earned money, but at the same time, is it really necessary at a certain point? Like start donating regularly or something. Do something good. Do you think having an expensive phone is a good investment? Depends on how expensive, I suppose, and what you use it for. What’s your largest bill? Electric, gas, phone, etc. I don't have any of my own bills. It's embarrassing by this age. Do you like your job? I'd like to even have a job... What is your favorite song and why? "False Flags" by Massive Attack, because it's so poetically haunting in its message of how fucked up politics are. Its monotonous tone also adds another layer of sadness to it, like a reminder of how "normal" and bland and unsurprising everything is, no matter how horrible... I could honestly probably write an essay on how I interpret the song, especially if you add in the incredible symbolism of such a simplistic music video. Are you introverted or extroverted? I am very introverted. If you’re married and your spouse cheated on you, would you forgive them? Nope, byeeeee~ Who knows the real you the most? Sara, really. How old is the oldest person you’ve had sexual relations with? He'd be 27 now. Have you been upset the past few days? My PTSD has been kinda vicious the past couple days, especially today. Then earlier at my nephew's b-day party I had to nearly bite my fucking tongue off with that family's political bullshit. My anger really flared up a few times hearing despicable shit, but I think I concealed it fine by just not saying a word. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever thought of doing for a job? Nothing "crazy," really... Who was your first celebrity crush? Jesse McCartney had my young heart, ha ha. When did you last see or speak to someone you dislike? Why do you dislike this person? Today, at my nephew's aforementioned b-day party. I in specific don't like my sister's husband because he's sexist, racist, homophobic, bigoted... I could go on and on. We don't just have "different opinions," we have different morals entirely. When you listen to music, do you generally sing along, or just listen? I almost always just listen. I don't sing a lot. Can you remember the last time you felt emotional? What was the reason? Today. PTSD is a bitch. What if you were told that your life has to stay exactly as it is right now, and nothing will ever change? How would you feel about that? Quite honestly, I don't think I would want to live anymore. Have you ever been to the hospital for something really serious? I'd consider an OD on cold medicine to be serious, but then again, I experienced almost no effects from it. Idk if I just got fluids fast enough or what, but whatever it was, I'm thankful for. Are you excited for winter? UGGGHHHH BRING IT ONNNNNNN. Have you ever had a moment with someone you like that seemed like a movie moment? Many. What are you listening to right now? "Down In The Park" by Marilyn Manson. What’s your favourite flavour of iced tea? Tea is gross. Have you ever been to a casino? If so, which one(s)? No. Have you ever visited a sex shop? I haven't. Have you ever ridden a bicycle through a busy city? NOOOOOOOO. I could never do that. What’s your favourite place to get pizza? Literally Domino's, lmao. I am so basic. Do you have a lock number or pattern for your phone? No. There sure isn't anything important on it. What’s the most number of people you’ve ever lived with? Five.

Toy soldier

Kiara Scuro. Alexa Myers. Howard Stark. Gilbert Mead. Captain America AU.

Kiara fidgeted in her costume under Alexa’s scrutiny. The brunette’s brow furrowed as a scowl spread across her face.

“What,” she hissed, “is that?”

“It’s my costume. You saw it in Azzano,” the captain explained, feeling even more ridiculous than she had the first few times she’d stood on stage.

She felt like a stupid pin-up girl, waiting for the soldiers to throw tomatoes at her.

“You wore it on stage. I didn’t think they’d be idiotic enough to send you into war in it,” Lexie snapped as she crossed her arms.

Kiara patted her chest. “It’s reinforced with something to make it harder for the bullets to go through.”

“Oh good. So they put that damned target there deliberately.”

The blonde glanced down at the red star splayed across the bright blue hue of her uniform.

“Well, if I can survive a bullet better than you and the others, why shouldn’t they aim at me?” Kiara shrugged.

Alexa’s face darkened.

“We’re going to see Stark,” she announced as she turned on her heel and stalked out of the room Kiara had been assigned. The blonde followed, caught in awe.

Lexie was rarely the one going to pick fights. She went in Kiara’s wake, waiting to see where she could intervene. The times where their roles were reversed were few.

“Stark!” The telepath called, striding through the rows of supplies and weapons.

There was a clang, a quiet curse, and Stark appeared, his sleeves pushed past his elbows. “I’m busy!”

“Not at this moment,” Alexa informed him tersely. She gestured to the suit, to Kiara trailing behind her. “Did you have a say in this?”

“Just with making sure she wouldn’t turn into a colander during her first fire fight,” he told her as he leaned against a work table. Kiara rolled her eyes at the way Stark’s gaze assessed her best friend. No doubt he was imagining her as one of his models.

“And how often do you intend to replace it? Because She is sure as hell going to piss off a lot of Nazi.”

Kiara opened her mouth to argue, but Lexie silenced her with a look.

“They’re sending us to remote locations, are you going to tag along with replacements? You don’t seem the type to go traipsing behind enemy lines,” the telepath continued. “A Hydra sniper is going to take one look at her and start shooting till she falls down.”

She stepped closer, her voice low. “How will you find your answers if the experiment is gone?”

Kiara didn’t think she was meant to hear. She wouldn’t have used to, when fevers had dampened her ability.

Alexa glanced back at her, her face softening.

The blonde wasn’t offended. After the Vita Ray, she’d gotten used to being seen as government property. A way to raise money. A way to unlock the secrets of the serum.

Croft and Lexie were the only people who say her as something more.

“What if we changed it slightly – nothing major, just darken it and change the star,” Kiara suggested, tired of being ignored.

“And less red,” Alexa added, her eyes a little dark. “I need to be able to tell when she’s bleeding.”

“Colonel Phillips won’t like it,” Stark mused, sounding vaguely intrigued by the idea. “I haven’t seen him riled up since Cap marched hundreds of soldiers back into camp.”

The man had turned an awful shade of red. Kiara had seen him in a tizzy since then, but Stark hadn’t been there – Kiara had a way of pissing the colonel off that Lexie said was authority figure’s innate response to the blonde.

“Fine, I’ll do it. Just give me some time to figure somethings out,” the inventor relented. “Anything I should know so you don’t come barging into my workshop again?”

“I just want a hood,” Kiara stated.

“How reinforced can you make this thing? Because Kiara gets into a lot of fights,” Alexa pressed, arching her brow.

When they left, Alexa satisfied that Stark had understood her, the brunette knocked her shoulder against Kiara. “Don’t do that again.”

The blonde frowned. “What’d I do?”

“You’re not property. You’re not America’s toy soldier, easily disposable. You’re Kiara,” Alexa chastised. “There’s enough people trying to kill you out here, don’t let Uncle Sam be one of them.”

~*~

“Captain?”

Kiara braced herself as she turned toward the voice. “Yes?”

“My name is Agent Gilbert Mead, Director Morpheus sent me to escort you and get you geared up,” the freckled man with a mop of blond hair explained. “Make sure the new uniform fits.”

“New?” Kiara’s skin prickled at the thought. She’d seen Iron Man in his flashy suit.

Mead seemed to notice. “Nothing drastic. Just aesthetic changes and security enhancement – Make it so it can withstand a stronger beating.”

He gestured for her to follow him through the halls lined with florescent lights.

Kiara tugged her hood lower as she obeyed.

“Do I seem like I get into a lot of fights, Agent?” the super soldier said wryly.

“With all due respect, ma’am – I idolized Captain America and the Howling Commandos when I was growing up, and I’m something of a collector,” her escort informed her with a small smile.

Kiara froze. “I hear they had trading cards.”

“I have the entire collection and several duplicates of Alexa Myers. She was my favorite,” he explained.

She smiled sadly.

“But that’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying I did my research. All the Howling Commandos reports, post-war interviews. I even got the chance to hear Dum Dum Dugan speak while I was in high school.” Agent Mead’s warm brown eyes twinkled. “He called you a holy terror for the U.S. Army. Talked about the early days in England, when he got a week of cigarette rations because of a bet.”

“Did he mention he’d lost a pack two weeks earlier?” To Lexie. Who took perverse delight in never smoking them. Just kept them sitting in her pocket, taunting Dum Dum. She’d called a lesson, to never bet against Kiara.

“He did not,” he laughed as he opened a door with a code. “This room has been designated for you specifically, because of your needs.”

Kiara stared at the suit, gently backlit so the navy blue uniform stood out. It wasn’t as bulky as her old one had been, and the stripes around her abdomen were missing. She pressed her hand against the white star, flanked by two horizontal lines on either side.

“For a while, we were in possession of Howard Stark’s notes and research. I found reference to an incident where Alexa and you apparently disturbed him enough that he took very detailed references to what Alexa didn’t want in a uniform.” Mead tapped the uniform with his knuckles. “I wouldn’t want to go against her wishes.”

The captain sucked in a breath.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

The agent smiled. “The suit can be changed after the mission, if you’d like. I can show you my collection and you can tell me about Alexa.”

“I’d like that,” Kiara told him.

Later, Kiara stared at the bloodied cards Director Morpheus tossed in front of her – Alexa Myers’s haunted figure stained crimson.

“Agent Mead had these with him. I guess he wanted to show them to you,” the one-eyed man told her.

Kiara didn’t change the suit.

~*~

Kiara curled against Alexa, their fingers entwined.

“I’m tired,” the super soldier murmured, her eyes meeting Alexa’s.

“I know.”

Of course Lexie knew. She knew everything, quietly lending strength to the blonde.

“Ryan said you’d retired during the Snap,” Alexa said with a pointed glance. “I think he knows better.”

“Captain America retired, except for major crises,” the blonde explained, closing her eyes. “I traveled around after Thor killed Thanos, making sure people weren’t being preyed on. I tried therapy, organizing a support group, moving on –“

Alexa snorted. “As somebody who spent a few years running from you, I don’t imagine that went well.”

“I’m going to leave it to Jake.”

The telepath knew she meant more than the therapy. She squeezed Kiara’s hand comfortingly.

“I’m so tired of fighting, Lexie, of being a symbol and not a person,” the blonde whispered, softly crying. “And I can still help, but I don’t want to spend my days waiting for the next fight. I’m tired of wearing the uniform. I’m tired so many things but, most of all, I’m tired of losing you.”

“Kiara.” Lexie brushed the hair away from Kiara’s face and wiped a tear away with the pad of her right thumb. “Nobody will blame you for wanting to be you. You’ve been Captain America for so long or trying to straddle the border, but it’s time to be you.”

She pressed her forehead against the blonde’s. “You can give Jake the shield, we can get away. The world will get used to a new Captain America.”

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