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hysteric-for-sterek · 11 months

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Hindsight

When Stiles decided he was going to marry Lydia Martin, that’s exactly what it was: a decision. What he interpreted as destiny, was mostly just stubbornness. He’d declared, to Scott and to his Dad and to himself, that he was going to marry Lydia Martin, and to go back on that declaration was to admit defeat. And don’t get him wrong, it wasn’t all cool calculations and stubbornness, he did actually love Lydia. The pining and plotting was actually based on genuine feelings, it’s just that… they maybe weren’t as long-term as he’d initially thought. The more they both grew up, grew closer, became friends… well, the less naturally the ten year plan seemed to be at the forefront of his mind. Sometimes he… forgot… to have a crush on her. But, he was busy, alright? His life turned into werewolves and monsters and fear, he could be forgiven for putting his pining on the backburner occasionally.

The point was… Stiles didn’t really know any different when it came to having feelings for someone. Lydia was his first crush. The way he handled it was all he really knew about such matters.

Which was probably why he didn’t recognize what was really going on when it came to Derek. Or at least, that’s his excuse and he’s sticking with it.

So… there may have been signs. But not major, flashing, neon ones, OK?

Having a dream solely about Derek’s forearms? Dreams are always weird, they don’t mean anything. He once had one about a dancing frog made of toothpaste. Dreams don’t count for anything.

Derek being the first person he called at the first sign of trouble? That was just practical! Derek had a car, werewolf powers, he actually answered his phone… of course he made sense as the first contact when something supernatural was out to get him. Or when he needed a ride somewhere important. Or when he saw a funny shirt that read “trust me, I’m not a werewolf”. Or when he was hungry. Or tired... Or bored... Whatever.

Wearing Derek’s clothes? It’s not Stiles’ fault he was always caught off guard out in the woods without enough layers! He gets cold easily! And werewolves run hot! Derek lending him his jackets was not a big deal. It didn’t mean anything other than Derek being considerate of Stiles’ delicate human body being exposed to the elements. So what if Stiles rarely actually returned the jackets and jumpers and shirts and, on one occasion, pajamas (they’re so cozy and comfy omg) and continually wore them to the point of Scott complaining he stunk like Derek all the time? It’s just clothes, stop being ridiculous.

“What about the bedsharing?” the voice in his head, that sounded a lot like Scott, asked.

Well that was just sensible. You’re taking that out of context. There was only one bed in the loft and it was late and I didn’t really have anywhere else to go and Derek was insistent that I get some sleep and take his bed and there was no way I was going to make him sleep on the floor like an actual dog when his bed was plenty big enough to share! Come on, we’re two mature people, sharing a bed out of convenience didn’t mean anything!

“The cuddling probably did.”

I can’t help what my body does during the night while I’m asleep!

“Uh huh. What about the fact that this has happened 5 more times since?”

Shut-up brain-Scott.

Hindsight is a funny thing. Because it’s not until this very moment, lying in Derek’s bed, with Derek’s arm pulling him flush against him, their legs tangled together and lips gliding together for the first time, that Stiles can see how they got here.

The pack meeting wrapped up, Scott and Isaac went to work, Erica and Boyd went to see a movie, Lydia and Jackson went to the mall and Stiles stayed back to hang with Derek. They had a healthy debate about the possible existence of mer-people while Derek cooked them steaks and Stiles made a salad. They watched 2 episodes of Supernatural on Stiles’ laptop while laying on Derek’s bed, then got into another debate about whether beheading would really be the only way to kill a vampire. When Stiles had reached over Derek to snatch his phone off the nightstand in order to consult Peter on the matter and settle the debate once and for all, Derek had stopped him by pinning his arm above his head and something in the air just… shifted. Stiles had stared into Derek’s eyes and Derek had just… looked back. And then they were kissing. And Stiles’ hands were in Derek’s hair and Derek’s arms were pulling Stiles closer and… nothing was weird about any of it.

Stiles had the thought that it wasn’t supposed to feel this normal, that he probably should have been having a slight existential crisis right now, but it just felt… right. Like this was obvious, like they were always going to end up here.

“Well duh.”

Shut up Scott-brain!

#sterek #sterek fanfic #I haven't written anything in like 5 years and suddenly this came out?#so yeah... have some randomness I guess #teen wolf

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barry-j-blupjeans · 3 years

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For the Drabble prompts, I’d love to see either “This is stupid. And kind of fun” or “Why are you wearing my skirt?” With Taako, thanks!!!

10. "Why are you wearing my skirt?"

((drabble prompts // hurt/comfort prompts))

Taako didn't really know what he had been expecting when he came home, but it definitely hadn't been this. At first, it seemed like Magnus had been the only one there because surely anyone else would have come down at Magnus's enthusiastic shouting and the sound of his dogs barking as Taako came through the door. When he finally pried himself free of Magnus's hug and shooed the dogs away from him, he was a hundred percent ready to go take a nap until more sensible people came back.

But here he was.

"Uh, Krav," Taako said, pausing with his hand still on the door handle. "Why're you wearing my skirt?"

To be honest, Taako would have laughed at the expression on Kravitz's face if he hadn't already been so goddamn tired. Kravitz seemed to freeze at his voice, turning away from the mirror he was looking in and towards Taako. He was, indeed, wearing one of Taako's skirts. A long, flowy black one that hung near his ankels. And he was shirtless.

"It's complicated," Kravitz said.

"You don't have to be embarrassed," Taako said, shutting the door and dragging his suitcase further in.

"I'm not embarrassed!"

"You're face is like, twenty-five percent skeletal right now, baby."

"Fuck," Kravitz said. He brought his hands up to his face and touched his cheekbone- his actual cheekbone. After a moment, the skin grew back over it and he just looked flustered. "Uh, I didn't, um. Didn't think you'd be back so early."

"I'm back right on time," Taako said. He kicked his suitcase aside and laid face-first onto the bed. "You're just bad at keeping track of time."

"That's true," Kravitz said, slowly sitting down next to him. "Are you... upset? At, uh-"

"Where whatever clothes you want, Bones, I couldn't really care less," Taako said, scooping up the blankets in an attempt to cover himself. "Actually, wear what you want, but make sure it looks decent. Like, you've been dead for like, seven thousand years-"

"Not nearly that many-"

"So your sense of style is a bit off the hook right now, ya know? Maybe like. Check-in with me or Lup, and then wear whatever you want. Hell, check-in with Dav, if you want. He's about the only other person here who doesn't wear the same clothes every day like a goddamn cartoon character."

"It's just," Kravitz said. Taako felt the bed shift and suddenly Kravitz was laying down next to him. "When I was... alive. I didn't really get the chance to be like, "oh, I wanna wear skirts or dresses" or whatever, because there were certain ways people expected me to look. And then, I was dead, and I was a ball of light half that time, so I couldn't really try anything-"

"Wear whatever the hell you want," Taako repeated, turning his head to face Kravitz. He looked a bit calmer. There was still a bit of skull showing at this hairline. Taako tapped it and the skin came back. Kravitz grinned sheepishly. "No one here is gonna judge you and if they do, I'll, uh- I'll turn 'em into a bug and then trap them in a jar for an hour."

"I love you," Kravitz said, kissing his hand before he could pull it back. "Thank you for being so nice."

"Psh," Taako said. "Don't tell anyone, you'll ruin my reputation."

#taakitz #taako #kravitz #taz balance #mine #ise cube writing #asks #anon #edit: trans kravitz is intentional if u get that vibe

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xxgoblin-dumplingxx · 3 years

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Rock On: Three

Thor saw you, standing off to the side talking to a producer. You seemed to be arguing for something.

Probably for Thor having more say over who he keeps and who he gets rid of. Or to keep him from appearing on film saying anything too far outside the bounds of good taste. A battle you’d been fighting in interviews for years. He had a very specific image. One that pandered to male power fantasies. One he’d never really been very attached to, but it had made his career. And won him a reputation. As a woman-hater, as a douche bag… Sure. He’d be the first person to say that he was a horn dog. And maybe even a douche bag. But woman-hater? That rankled.

He loves women. All women. They just make life inherently better just by existing.

Maybe not- Maybe not some of the women in the house. They kill his mood. All the drama and the push and pull. It’s off-putting. He’s never liked desperation. He liked the unshakable rocker goddesses that made him work for it. That made him want to beg. He liked to do the pursuing. Not being pursued.

When the production assistant reached out and put a hand on your forearm, his body language shifting towards flirty instead of professional, Thor felt his eyes narrow and he wanted to start forward. You looked tired. And Pale. And like you still weren’t feeling your best. It made him protective.

He hated it when people flirted with you. You were his person. And he hated sharing your attention with anyone else. “Y/N?” he called, “Where’s my coffee?”

But it backfired.

“Just a second!” you answer, trying to pull yourself away. And before you can, three girls go rushing to make him a cup of coffee, thinking this is an opportunity to catch his eye.

_________

“I knew this was going to happen,” you say to Brunhilde, arms folded as you watch the girls mill about, listening to the people that are teaching them how to ride a dirt bike. “And yet. Somehow…”

“One of ‘em is going to die,” she said.

You nod and Look over to where Thor is trying to help a girl get her bike started while she giggles and strokes his arm. It’s irritating.

You knew, you all knew, going into this mess that none of these girls really loved him. That everyone had an agenda. Be it wanting to fuck a rock star, wanting a launching pad for a career, wanting a free trip… Whatever it was. So watching these girls fawn over him. Listening to them giggle at everything he said. It just. Bothered you. Thor was a person. He was a bonehead. He liked to party. Sure. That was true. Sometimes he was thoughtless and arrogant. Sometimes he was a jerk. But. He wasn’t a bad guy. And he deserved better than all of this hoopla. He deserved someone that cared about him for who he was.

“You okay?” Brunhilde asked quietly.

“Just- irritated,” you murmur. “And plotting.”

“Ooo-,” she teased, “Anything good?”

“Just all the mean things I’m going to say to Loki before I resign… I guess it’s a fantasy more than a plot.”

The taller woman leaned against the trailer next to you and sighed, “Yeah. I’ve had that thought a few times.”

For a little while, silence stretches between the two of you as you watch the goings on. “Brun?” you ask after a second.

“Hmm?”

“Can you handle everything tonight?”

“I mean… Thor’s gonna go on a date with some of the girls. And the rest of them are probably going to be drunk and emotional but… yeah, why?”

“I uh- I have a date,” you admit.

She turns and looks down at you. You don’t look entirely comfortable with the idea. Or like you really want to go. “With who?” she asked, unable to stop from sounding incredulous.

“I uh- Tony. One of the producers. We- we were talking earlier. He asked if I could go out tonight.”

“Did you tell Thor?”

You look at her over your glasses and make a vague gesture inviting her to look around. “Please. The only time I can get close to him is when I’m bringing him something.”

“Fair,” Brunhilde said. “Have fun?”

You half-shrug. “He probably just wants info on Thor. Or the girls. To know who’s a shit-stirrer

and who’s boring. Who has a tragic past… Shit for ratings.”

“Please,” Brunhilde snorted, “You’re hot… Some people dig that whole ‘disapproving nanny’ mystique that you’re cultivating right now.”

“Disapproving Nanny?”

“Sure. The trendy glasses, The sensible clothes, the comfortable flats… and the fact that Thor basically uses you like a living, breathing day planner… Yeah. I could see it.”

You sigh. You know she doesn’t mean it unkindly. And you know you’re working. That it’s kind of… expected that you dress down just a little. And that the way you dress makes you stand out in the crowd so Thor and Brunhilde can find you quickly. But. You miss heels. And you miss feeling pretty. And having someone to look pretty for.

It’s been a long time since you’ve even been approached for a date. And truth be told, you’re looking forward to it. You want to be flattered a little. You want to be told you’re beautiful, even if you know Tony doesn’t really mean it. Relationships are hard. And not just for Thor.

Everyone in his little Entourage is expected to just… be around. And everyone assumes that you’re sleeping with him. Which also doesn’t help. It’s torpedoed more than one of your relationships. And all you want is to just… not be lonely.

_____________

“You look incredible,” Tony said, grinning as he pulled out your chair.

You feel your face heat as his eyes roam over your body. It’s a look that makes you feel naked. But as he kisses you on the cheek and guides you into your chair with a hand on the small of your back, you don’t mind. Not really.

“So do you,” you tease, smiling your thanks at the waiter who’s filling your glass of champagne.

“This old thing?” Tony said, raising his glass in mock toast, “To new friends!”

#Thor x reader #Reality TV Star! AU #Tony Stark #Brunhilde #Valkyrie #Thor Odinson

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ralfstrashcan · 3 years

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Malec in late 2B

It's been *checks watch* three years and I've finally calmed down enough to try and untangle my feelings about the end of 2B in a coherent way.

1) Alec's decision not to tell Magnus about the Soul Sword. I've worked through my thoughts regarding that in this fic already where I go into Alec's reasoning for it. The tldr of which is that a) Alec consciously made the decision not to tell Magnus instead of running out of time to decide, b) he actually had good reasons for that and made that decision with Magnus's and the Downworld's best interests at heart and c) ultimately his love for Magnus was the very reason he didn't tell him because if he had cared about sparing Magnus's feelings a little less he would have told Magnus about the Soul Sword on condition that Magnus can't tell his people, damn the guilt Magnus will feel when warlocks die because they weren't forewarned.

2) Magnus's reaction to finding out. Magnus flips his shit, basically, lashes out, is deliberately hurtful and doesn't really listen to Alec's reasons for his decision. This is both an understandable and an ic reaction because Magnus is a very emotion-driven character and what he just learned is drastic. Could there have been a more graceful way to handle this revelation? Certainly. But it's nothing I would just expect from any given character. You'd have to be exceptionally level-headed to keep your cool in such a situation and I don't fault Magnus for not being that. His reaction was very human.

Alec gets points deduction for his line “Let's not make this personal” because dude, do you know your boyfriend at all? Have you realized that emotional compartmentalization isn't his strong forte? This line just angers Magnus more. (Alec also gets points deduction, with extreme prejudice, for trying to shush Magnus because what is wrong with you, man. I mean, this might just be a personal hang-up of mine but isn't that gesture patronizing as hell? Anyway.) On the other hand Alec gets some points for not going after Magnus. When I first watched that I thought it was very strange and kinda weird but in hindsight it is obviously the right choice. Magnus needed time and space to deal and Alec realized that trying to go after him and talk it out then was pointless and would have only angered Magnus more.

3) Magnus's reaction to Alec seeking him out because of Max. Admirable. Magnus puts all his (very understandable) anger aside to rush to the Lighwood family's aid. It doesn't matter that he can't help in the end, he is there as emotional support despite the frosty atmosphere between him and Alec. It is the decent thing to do but not everybody would have shown such kindness in his shoes. 10/10.

4) Magnus contemplating if he should take the Seelie Queen's offer aka sappy Malec flashbacks. I'm gonna place half the blame on show writers and half the blame on Magnus himself because, bro, this is not how you make a strategical decision for your people. Not even once is Magnus shown contemplating the repercussions of his decision for the warlocks or Valentine or the future of the Downworld. He only mopes about his boyfriend betraying his trust, basically. And I mean! I understand he's hurting a lot! And I understand people can't just turn off their emotions! But a good leader should be able to put his own emotions aside at least for a short time when an integral decision about his people has to be made, and quickly! And in that regard Magnus, uh, fails, apparently.

Again, I think half the blame lies with the show writers who wanted cute Malec flashbacks and generally fail at portraying inner Downworlder affairs if they don't serve the shadowhunter-centric plot. But I can't just yell “ooc behavior!!” and shrug it off because this isn't exactly ooc behavior for Magnus. Magnus is a very emotion-driven character who fails at separating personal and political matters. That's a theme. I point no further than the whole Camille-thing where he turned a blind eye to her bleeder dens because he felt personally indebted to her, and only stopped her when Raphael's life was at stake. So yeah... 0/10.

Full disclosure, I think there is a different way to read these scenes. Maybe Magnus wasn't just nursing his broken heart and missing the point. Maybe what he was actually contemplating was what he'd been fighting about with Luke before, namely if Alec can even be trusted as a person or if he's too much a shadowhunter to ever deserve their faith and cooperation because he will always treat Downworlders as lesser, because he's as racist as the Clave. In that case it would make sense for him to remember their private 1:1 interactions, to reassess Alec's character as a whole. But it would also mean that the conclusion he reached is that Alec is as corrupt as the rest of the Clave, and that would make them getting back together without ever talking about this... even more messed up than it already is! But I'm getting ahead of myself. Anyway, needless to say that I don't interpret it this way.

5) Magnus breaking up with Alec. To me personally (and to Alec) the breakup makes no sense. Magnus and Alec have different stances on, like, the implications of their relationship (and I'm emotionally wired like Alec is, at least in that regard). What I mean is this: Why does Magnus feel the need to break up with Alec? He's not an idiot, he knows that just because he breaks up with Alec his feelings for Alec will not miraculously evaporate as well. He'll be as emotionally compromised as he was before. And yet he says, “The only thing holding me back from [making difficult decisions to ensure the survival of my people] is you.”

Here's the thing. When Alec decides not to tell Magnus about the Soul Sword he does so in his capacity as the Head of the Institute, taking (almost) no account of his role as Magnus's lover. He is able to do that because he can compartmentalize between these two roles in an extreme way and therefor his relationship status has no influence on his decision. (Sure, not being with Magnus wouldn't have provided extra incentive to tell him, but work with me here. What I mean is that if Alec had rationally decided to tell Magnus about the Soul Sword, he would have made that same decision whether he was with Magnus at that point or not.) What did influence his decision making process were his feelings for Magnus, and these remain unchanged regardless of their relationship status.

Magnus has an entirely different stance. To him being in a relationship implies a certain kind of loyalty that must be maintained at all times. If their roles had been reversed I don't doubt that Magnus would have told Alec about the Soul Sword immediately because of said loyalty, and he would have thought it through for exactly zero seconds beforehand. He expected the same thing from Alec and that's why he feels so betrayed when he realizes that Alec kept it from him. This is why Magnus feels the need to break up with Alec: to disengage from this loyalty that keeps him from making decisions with only the warlocks in mind. Magnus's decision making hinges on their relationship status and the loyalty it demands, not his feelings for Alec.

Alec doesn't understand this. That's why he tells Magnus that he can have both: Alec, and the freedom to make the best choices for the warlocks, to act like the High Warlock of Brooklyn. Alec wouldn't hold it against him if he made the best decisions for his people while they are together because Alec, too, did have Magnus and made decisions as the Head of the Institute. But Magnus works differently. He'd feel like he's betraying Alec if he makes High Warlock of Brooklyn decisions while still being with Alec. And that's why he breaks up with Alec, and that's why it makes sense for Magnus to break up with him.

6) Magnus's behavior afterwards. Oh my god where do I even start.

--- Magnus being a petty bitch? Hell yeah.

--- Magnus hiding behind the Seelie Queen and running after her like he's her lap dog? Hell no. Wtf did I just watch!! Even better, he leaves Raphael behind? And Raphael then tells Izzy that Magnus was his ride and he's effectively trapped at the Institute because the sun is shining brightly outside?? I'm sorry, what. The Downworld just divorced the shadowhunters with a side of “hmm maybe we'll stop caring about the Accords as well in the near future” and Magnus leaves his Raphael behind? This is unacceptable!! I don't even know what to say to that!!

--- This has surely been discussed before but it needs to be said. Magnus implementing an anti-portal ward around New York that incinerates any angel-blooded creature that tries to pass it and not telling Alec about it. They hear about it from Luke instead and since Jace's reaction is immediately telling the shadowhunter extra next to him to stop shadowhunter movement in and out of the city immediately it is heavily implied that some shadowhunters already died thanks to this ward – since there are apparently troop movements in and out of the city that need to be stopped. (Which was to be expected! Sure, they know Valentine won't leave the city before he's got his hands on what he believes to be the mortal mirror locked away at the Institute, but he could surely be regrouping outside the city. Sending patrols into the near vicinity is the sensible thing to do.) Shadowhunter casualties due to the ward are further implied by Jace then leaning heavily on the desk and half-whispering to himself “No more shadowhunters die today.” Which makes sense. The patrols in question would have just vanished with no chance to report back what happened to them so they were probably assumed dead by Valentine's hand.

The point: Wtf Magnus. He must have been aware this could and would happen. The way I see it there are only two possible explanations: Magnus deliberately did not tell the NY Institute shadowhunters a) because he thought word might get around to Valentine or b) out of pettiness. And considering that knowing about the ward doesn't magically un-trap you and only means you will not cross it and therefore remain alive but contained, a) doesn't really make sense. The ward wasn't designed to lure Valentine to his death. It was designed to keep Valentine in the city so the other Downworld factions could hunt him down, and the ward will continue to do so even after Valentine learns of its existence. There s no harm in him knowing about it while there is a lot of harm in the NY shadowhunters not knowing about it because they will just die, for nothing, while trying to find Valentine. Magnus willingly risking that on the off-chance that Valentine walks into the ward at random is not his style at all. This leaves pettiness as motivation and sure, Magnus is petty, but not at the cost of so many casualties. This is so painfully ooc that I just can't!!

7) Their “reconciliation.” As you might have already guessed from those quotation marks: Thanks, I hate it. That adequately sums up my feelings on the matter. Don't get me wrong, the scene itself is lovely, I guess. But, content! They have this huge issue and they just don't talk about it! Magnus never learns of Alec's (legit) reasons for not telling him about the Soul Sword. Alec apologizes for.. what exactly? Doing something he was convinced was the right thing? And they never realize their differences in decision making which is even worse! This whole drama stemmed from the fact that they view the obligations that come with being in a relationship differently where their responsibilities as leaders are concerned. This is bound to become a problem again in the future!! And they just! dont! talk about it! aaaahhhhhhhh!!!! how!!!!!! are you adults or what!!!!!!! *sigh* just... –ꝏ /10

8) Aftermath. Oh right, this will of course not become a problem again in the future because Magnus loses his job. How neat.

Leaving the salt aside though I have to admit that I.. actually think the warlocks weren't entirely in the wrong in sacking Magnus. And before you kill me, hear me out. The first thing to note is that neither Raphael nor Luke get sacked for their decision to side with the Seelie Queen. Why is that? Because vampires and werewolves are fundamentally differently organized than warlocks. Warlocks have an international infrastructure. There's the Council, the Spiral Labyrinth, and stuff. Vampires and werewolves have their local clans and packs, and nothing more. Magnus has superiors. Raphael and Luke do not. After the Seelie Queen makes that deal with Valentine she condemns every Downworlder, except those located in New York, to death. Raziel's wish will kill every Downworlder on earth and only those in the Seelie Realm are safe. And as Magnus says in early 2x19

If Valentine had succeeded then literally all the other warlocks in the world would have died! Yes, the fact that the Seelie Queen threw them all under the bus isn't Magnus's fault, but

it was to be expected. Luke and Raphael both warn Magnus not to trust the Seelie Queen, that she has her own agenda and it's to rule over the Downworld, and that's why both Luke and Raphael were hesitant to accept her deal.

So I think it's pretty understandable why the other warlocks kicked Magnus out on his ass. In their eyes he would have been semi-complicit in their collective demise if Valentine had succeeded, having sided with the one who betrayed the Downworld. It doesn't matter that Magnus's choice means the warlocks at least wouldn't have gone entirely extinct if Valentine had won. It doesn't matter that the Seelie Queen would have made that deal with Valentine whether the other Downworlder factions had sided with her or not. (She had Simon in her Realm who could create new vampires, she probably would have kept Maia for new werewolves, and warlocks can be made by uuhh unethical means. What better Downworld than one that's never known anything but the Seelie Queen's uncontested reign? Yes, she absolutely would have let them all die.) None of that matters to the warlocks. They feel like Magnus betrayed them as a community and that's why they sack him.

Okay, so now we know why it made (in-universe) sense for the warlocks to fire Magnus. Make no mistake though – I don't approve of this reasoning. It's short-sighted and not very practical, and also unfair. Better save some of your species than none, right? Fine, Magnus should have informed the Council and stuff about what was going on so they could make their own deals with the Seelie Queen if they want to.. but then, do we even know if he did or didn't inform them? No. Any further discussion on this point is just poking in the dark so let's move on.

I did say that I think the warlocks weren't entirely in the wrong in dismissing Magnus from his job, though. Let me explain.

a) Magnus's decision to side with the Seelie Queen or remain sided with the Institute would have not made a difference regarding the whole Valentine-thing, right? Things would have played out exactly the same: Warlocks create anti-portal ward, Val makes a deal with the Seelie Queen and gets to Alicante anyway. The survival of the Downworld depended on Clary stabbing Valentine to death before he made the wish, and that remains unchanged no matter Magnus's decision. What Magnus's decision would have influenced (if this goddamn show knew what continuity is, lol) is what came after. Where does siding with the trigger-happy Seelie Queen, who made no secret of gunning for war with the Clave, leave the warlocks? On the Clave's bad side, that's for sure. Especially if things had escalated between the seelies and the shadowhunters (which they do in the books!!). In the show.. things just go back to how they were before the Downworld's little fail-rebellion. Either because the Downworld and the Clave mutually decide to just pretend none of it ever happened (since the Consul was exposed as a Circle Member, which, awkward) or, which I believe is more likely, because 3A focuses on The Owl Mystery and not on foreign policy and this show just sucks when it comes to including anything not strictly-plot-relevant. In any case!! Magnus's decision to side with the Seelie Queen should have had severe repercussions for the warlocks and their standing with the Clave aka dramatically worsened it, and for nothing (since nothing came of the “rebellion” and it's honestly doubtful how many warlocks would have wanted a full-on war with the shadowhunters anyway. They seem pretty good at laying low and doing their own thing). So in the long term siding with the Seelie Queen wasn't / wouldn't have been a strategically good decision (if it wasn’t followed up by a war of independence, which it wasn’t) and a legit reason to get fired.

b) More importantly, in 3x09 Lorenzo says to Magnus, “I took this position because you couldn't handle it. You let your heart dictate your actions and that will be your downfall,” which I always took to mean – since Lorenzo was god knows where when all of 2B happened – that the gossip in the warlock community is strong, and has it that Magnus only sided with the Seelie Queen as revenge for Alec not telling him about the Soul Sword / something relating to their breakup. No matter how this opinion formed in the community... *glances at 4)* they're not wrong? And this is definitely a legit reason to get fired.

So where does this leave us? I don't approve of the Council firing Magnus for the reason they did because it was a dumb reason. When I look at Lorenzo – lazy, self-centered, unwilling to actually do anything when push comes to shove – I don't think Magnus should be fired because he's obviously the much better choice as High Warlock. And I don't even think that siding with the Seelie Queen was, per se, a wrong choice. But the way Magnus made that choice left much to be desired and was a clear lapse in leadership, one where a dismissal would have been justified. And this should have been addressed in a constructive way so he can learn from his mistake.

#shadowhunters #alec lightwood #magnus bane #valentine morgenstern #the seelie queen #malec #i rewatched the 2b season finale and this happened #is this a controversial opinion? lol

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shapeshifting-wildcard · 3 years

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By this point, the Phantom Thieves were well practiced in how to handle Jails. It didn't take them long to reach the birdcage at the top of Konoe's tower. Even if they were a little surprised to see it there.

"Why would Konoe's Jail possess one?" Fox wondered aloud, gaze focused on the telltale lock above them. "Is he not the mastermind behind all of this?"

"I don't know," Mona admitted. "Konoe's supposedly the one who created the Jails, so he'd have to know how they work. It wouldn't make sense otherwise. Which means the only explanation is that he's trapped himself here with trauma of his own."

"Which brings us back to the original question," Mitsuru, codename Amazon, noted. "If he knows how these Jails work, and is the one responsible for creating them, why would he even need to keep himself trapped?"

"It might be a necessary component to creating a Jail," Mona said.

"So, if someone didn't have something traumatic to create a cage from, they wouldn't be eligible to become a Monarch?" Fuuka, codename Peacock, mused.

"It's possible," Mona said. "The only time we haven't encountered a birdcage was when the original Monarch was already dead."

"Wasn't that also experimental, anyway?" Violet pointed out. "We did encounter the Warden in the same part of the Jail, so it might have had a different layout to begin with."

"That's true," Mona said. "All we can really do is speculate at this point."

"You mentioned that we need a key to unlock this cage," Naoto, codename Emperor, said. "How do we go about finding it?"

"We can get a hint to its whereabouts by touching the birdcage," Fox explained.

"I'll do it," Joker volunteered, taking a step towards the cage.

"No, let me do it," Wolf piped up. "I could use the experience."

"Good luck," Panther said. "Make sure you don't let go right away."

"Don't go crying on us, Gramps," Skull added.

Wolf shot them confused looks as he approached the cage and held up his hand. The moment his hand connected, he let out a howl of pain, nearly jerking back reflexively. Emperor and Amazon both looked alarmed.

"Uh, should we...?" Emperor glanced towards Tailor, who shrugged.

"He'll be fine," he reassured him.

Voices filtered out of the cage, echoing around them like they had countless times before.

"Abuse?" said one older male voice. "Please, that's ridiculous. We do have a dog. Maybe that's what they heard? Right, Akira?"

"Whose voice is that?" Skull wondered.

"It isn't Konoe's," Amazon remarked.

"But he said 'Akira,'" Noir pointed out. "Isn't that Konoe's given name?"

A second voice responded to the first. "Whether it was your dog or not, Konoe-san, we got a tip that you've been physically abusing your son."

Skull's eyes widened. "What...?"

Oracle moved a little closer to Joker, lightly pressing against him. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze.

"Apparently, Akira-kun has a scar on his arm to prove it—"

"Look," the first voice cut in, sounding impatient. "He fell over. How many times do I have to say it?"

Noir shuddered while Skull, Crow, Wolf, and Emperor all grimaced. All of them had some sort of familiarity with that unfortunate phrase. Though Skull's was perhaps more personal than the rest.

"Are we done here?" the first voice continued. "I'd like to be left alone."

There was the sound of a door closing before the first voice started up again.

"You little shit!"

That got a noticeable wince out of Skull.

"You see all this trouble you're causing me?! Keep your goddamn mouth shut and do as I say!"

Judging by the sounds that followed, it seemed reasonable to assume that the rumors of abuse were not, in fact, exaggerated.

Wolf backed away from the cage, distractedly rubbing his hand as he eyed the space he had just been touching. "What the hell was that?"

"Konoe's past," Fox explained. "We were viewing the trauma he keeps locked away in his heart."

"Utterly deplorable," Amazon muttered, glaring at the cage as if she wanted to stab the owner of the voice.

"Dude, that guy sounded even worse than my dad," Skull remarked.

Several people stopped and turned to Skull with a certain amount of alarm.

"Your father is like that too, Skull?" Wolf asked, the concern evident in his voice.

"Yeah," Skull said, shrugging. "Or he was, before ma and I left. That was a pretty big reason why."

Wolf relaxed only slightly. Tailor walked up and pat Skull's shoulder.

"That sucks," Tailor remarked. "I'm sorry, Skull."

"It's in the past, anyway," Skull shrugged it off. "Haven't seen or talked to the guy in years, and I much prefer it that way."

"One of those voices mentioned abuse," Noir said, bringing them back on topic.

"It sounded like a social worker," Crow said. "Presumably someone following up on a report someone made on Akira's behalf."

"You think he tried to tell someone what was goin' on at home?" Skull said. "Possible," Crow replied. "Though it's also just as possible it was simply a particularly attentive teacher."

"That man seemed convinced that Akira said something," Amazon pointed out.

"That doesn't mean he actually did," Crow said. "He could have been jumping to conclusions... or else using that as a tactic of control. Possibly both."

Joker, Skull, and a couple other Thieves shot Crow some concerned looks, but no one decided to say anything.

"Either way, I think it's reasonable to conclude that was his father, and that Akira suffered physical abuse at his hands," Crow casually continued.

"That's awful," Violet remarked.

"It's pretty messed up, but it doesn't justify all the skeevy shit he's been doin'," Skull pointed out.

"Indeed," Fox said. "What's past is past. Nothing changes the fact that Akira Konoe is an incredibly dangerous man who changes others' hearts and robs them of their free will."

"I'm glad you're being sensible about this," Crow said with a hint of sarcasm.

"So if being abused is the source of his trauma," Mona wondered, "then what exactly is his plan here?"

Several Thieves turned to Crow, who glared back at them with a certain amount of irritation.

"What are you looking at me for?" he snapped.

"Well, you and Konoe have a lot in common—" Skull started.

"Don't compare me to him," Crow huffed. "Besides, don't you have more in common with him anyway?"

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Skull snapped back.

For once, Crow paused instead of immediately snarking back. He shook his head. "No, I'm sorry, that was... unnecessarily harsh on my part."

Skull and many of the other Thieves stared at Crow in shock. Him? Apologizing? And not just apologizing, apologizing for being a jerk?

"Uh, well," Skull rubbed the back of his head distractedly. "It's... whatever. A-Anyway, we still gotta figure out where the key is."

"Right," Mona said. "Let's head back to the real world and look for the source of that voice."

#!drabbles #!long post #!abuse #!event: Summer Scramble #((catch me actually bringing up the parallels the game refuses to touch))

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tory-ben-hi-shelton · 3 years

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my favourite quotes from exposure

Multiple sets of handcuffs appeared and were applied. Bailiffs began peeling off the dog-pile like layers of an onion. And there, at the bottom of the scrum, was Kit. He was panting like a marathoner, arms still wrapping the Gamemaster's legs in a death grip. He'd clearly been the first to react.

"Oh, man!" Shelton had both hands on his dome. He seemed winded, despite not having moved during the attack. "Things just got real in here."

"Sorry I froze in there, Tor." Shelton frowned as he shirt wiped his glasses. "Not exactly my 'One Shining Moment', huh?" I waved off his apology. I knew Shelton hated how skittish he could be.

I try to hide the eruptions, but the guys can always tell. They do their best to support me even though it makes them uncomfortable. It's very sweet, but teenage boys make lousy grief counsellors.

The previous semester, Ben had been in half our classes, too, despite being a junior. Obviously, he was no longer around. Sometimes it felt like a limb was missing.

"Jason might be there," Courtney chirped. "He likes you."

"Oh." Not a brilliant response. "Yeah, maybe. I might have a thing, though."

Wonderful. Good job, good effort, Tory.

Behind me, I heard Hi fake coughing to cover his snickers

"I should be a secret agent." Hi blew on his fingernails, then buffed them on his lapel. "Or a magician. Maybe both. Someone write that down."

My hands shot for the Ray-Bans, but Ben caught my fingers mid-flight.

"It's not nice to grab," he said calmly.

"I can't handle all this tension," Shelton moaned. "Too much fighting."

Hi nodded, watching Ben dissapear down a side street. "We need to work on our conflict management. Maybe attend a seminar."

"Make your own?" Hi shifted to look at my face. "Victoria Grace, have you been holding out on me?"

"Tell me everything."

"You're not gonna be happy," Hi warned. "Don't kill the messenger."

"Or his good-looking buddy," Shelton added.

"On Saturday Ben and I drove to John's Islands to see Skyfall."

"You did?" Hi said sharply. "Thanks for the invite, jerks."

Shelton raised his palms. "You were at temple. We're suppose to wait around? Plus, you've seen that movie like five times."

"You still could've asked," Hi grumbled. "I don't—"

"Guys!" I clapped my hands once. "The story, please."

"So many gentleman admirers," Hi mused. "Must be tough, being a heartbreaker."

"Zip it. Unless you wanna see a leg-breaker too."

Ella adopted a mock serious tone. "Will you bodyguards consent?"

I giggled. "If Shelton and Hi are my bodyguards, I don't like my chances. And yes."

"See this?" Ben glanced at the mirror and pointed to his chin. "This is my 'couldn't care less' face."

"Boys?" I stood and faced them. "Something to share?"

"It was a secret." Hi aimed a kick at Shelton, who dodged easily. "Ben made us swear not to tell."

I crossed my arms. Waited.

"Tell Kit we're cutting a music video," Hi suggested as we walked. "Something real gangster, so we need to smash-cut our dance routines. Lay down some visuals. We could offer to let him freestyle rap over the second verse."

"Come on, Sambo!" Hi winked. "Live a little. What are we going to do, rob the place?"

The guard crossed his arms. "Wink at me again, Hiram, and I'll throw you to the wolfpack."

"Did I not mention that?" My brain was truly deep fried. "We went together."

"Oh." Hi and Shelton at once. Ben looked away.

"Hey, wait." I leaned closer to the screen. "You guys wouldn't have wanted to go. I took Ella so I wouldn't be paraded around like Whitney's toy poodle." No one spoke. Nonplussed, I decided to change the subject.

I glowered at Ben from the backseat. I'd given Hi shotgun, having sensed this argument was inevitable. I didn't want to be close. The urge to slap might become overpowering.

"Why don't we use our friendly words?" Hi suggested. "Let's take five, and everyone can say something we like about each other. I'll start. Shelton you're super at—"

"Shut up, Hi!" Ben and I shouted, the first thing we'd agreed upon all morning.

"Must be hell to keep the pH balance correct. I know how it is. I owned a goldfish once."

"Once?" Shelton asked.

"It died. Almost immediately."

"Nice work."

"It's a cultural thing," Hi was saying. "I think you're being insensitive."

Hines snorted. "Do you want me to cuff you?"

"Kinda."

"A minute alone, Tory. I'd like a quick chat."

Ben shot forward. "You can stick chat right up—"

Hi waved at me from across the yard, waiting for his mother to arrive. Apparently he'd body-blocked the first cops to chase me through the house. The police were none too pleased. I owe you one, Hi. You bought me enough time.

Entering the Virals chat room, I found all three boys present.

Uh oh.

They'd met there ahead of time, before alerting me. To discuss me.

I glanced up to see Shelton holding latex gloves. Hi had the ziplocks. Ben handed me a cotton swab and stopper. "Anything else?"

Despite the circumstances, I smiled.

Ruth popped her son on the back of the head. "Mind your manners, Hiram."

"Why does everyone do that?" Hi muttered. "And that was child abuse. In front of the police, I might add."

He looked away. The harbour breeze ruffled his silky black hair. My hand found his, almost by its own volition.

I couldn't be mad at Ben anymore. It was like being mad at my left arm. And right then, I needed my arm back.

A smile quirked on my father's lips. "And you, Mr. Blue? Ready for a good ol'-fashioned backyard barbecue? My daughter will be there."

Ben's uneasy smile was his only response.

Ben reached up from where he was lying with his eyes closed. Smacked Hi's dome.

Hi rubbed his head. "I'm getting pretty tired of that move."

"Then quit being a dope." Ben's lids remained shut.

"Hey, sure. No problem. I just need to—"

Hi lunged for Ben, intending a flying body slam. Ben caught Hi in midair and tossed him downhill in one quick motion. Hi tumbled, rolled, and dropped over the berm of the sand.

"That was dumb." Hi informed the blue sky.

Ben started talking about Wando High. I countered with news of Bolton. Before long, we'd exchanged stories, catching up on the last five months of each other's lives. I hadn't realized how much I missed Ben. How badly I wanted him back at Bolton.

He was right, of course. I was keeping several secrets from Ben. Like how comfortable it felt to be alone with him. How much I'd missed his reassuring presence. His quiet strength.

Ben removed his shoes, plunged both feet into the lapping salt waters Then he leaned back against a post, sighing contently. The little-boy maneuver brought a smile to my face.

"You're staying out here?" Shelton asked. "Alone?"

"No big deal. I don't want Kit to see what I'm up to."

"I don't like it," Ben said. Behind him, Hi looked uneasy.

"No one knows this place exists." I pointed to the other room. "And there's an 85 pound predator in there that loves me. I'll be fine."

...

"Text me when you get home." Ben requested. "Please don't forget."

I hid a smile. "Will do. Bye, guys."

I sat forward at the table. "Okay, so ... like, don't freak out."

That got their attention.

"About?" Ben took the seat across from me, next to Hiram.

"There was an incident last night." Oh so calm. "I'm perfectly okay, but on the way hone someone attacked me on the beach."

"What?!" Three stunned voices.

"That's why you didn't text," Ben muttered.

Ben shook his head in wonderment. "Incredible. It's nice having a genius around."

"It's only genius if it works." But I flushed at the compliment.

I squeezed Ben's shoulder. "Who's the genius now?"

He snorted, looked away.

"You let her go alone?" Ben scolded, slowly working his way down to where Hi was beached. "That defeats the whole purpose!"

"I'm aware of that, Benjamin." Hi tried slinging a leg onto the riverbank, but it flopped back into the rolling current. "But she'd figured out you sent her away from the mine on purpose. You try telling Tory what to do when she's pissed."

"I'll pass."

"How's the leg, detective? Or did my wolfdog bite you in the ass, instead?"

"Hey, at least it's not your birthday. Worst one ever, by the way."

His fist came up. I dapped it with mine.

"For Tory," Shelton said.

"For Tory." All jokes shelved.

Coop was rolling in the leaves, pinning someone beneath his massive bulk.

Ben dove on the tangle with a voice-cracking whoop.

I was no longer alone. The Virals had found me. Ben was beaming, unable to hide his relief. He turned quickly, wiping his glowing eyes. Shelton darted forward and crushed me with a hug. Coop was dancing and bucking, his tail wagging so hard he had trouble keeping balance. My boys. My heroes.

"Do you confronted the twins alone, without waiting for us?" Ben couldn't keep the anger from his voice. "After making us promise not to do anything like that?"

"We can discuss my impulsiveness another time—"

"Oh, we will." Ben assured me.

I ejected the spent clip from the HK45, slammed the new one into place, then worked the slide to chamber a round. Then I held the weapon loosely at my side, barrel pointed toward the ground.

"I'm terrified of you right now," Hi said wide-eyed. "And in love. Take me shooting with your aunt Tempe next time."

"Take the SUV and go. I'll stay with Ella and handle the fallout."

"Out of your mind." Ben said immediately.

"We could drive away without anybody knowing."

"I'm not leaving Tory to face this alone," Ben insisted. "Get serious!"

I spoke softly. "The cops will eat you alive, Benjamin Blue. You have to go."

Ben tensed, ready to argue.

"Detective Hawfield died. This is going to get serious. It's way too much heat for you. Please be sensible."

Ben hesitated. Then his shoulders slumped.

"Maybe you're right." Deep breath. "But you're taking away the other possibility, too."

"I don't understand." I glanced over my shoulder at the approaching vehicle. "What other possibility?"

He smiled wanly. "Ben Blue, The Hero. That kinda would've been nice."

I paused, at a loss for words. My heart broke for him.

"But that's okay." Ben dug keys from his pocket. "After all, we're Virals, not heroes. And that's fine. Plus, I'm not really the hero type."

He turned to leave.

Impulsively, I grabbed Ben's arm. Pulled him close. Smashed my lips against his. The kiss only lasted a second, but also an eternity. Then I stepped back an shoved Ben towards the Explorer.

"Of course you're the type." I was grateful the darkness hid my blushes. "Now go."

Ben stared, stricken, thunderstruck. Hi and Shelton watched, wide-eyed with shock.

"Weirdest birthday ever," Hi whispered.

"Corcoran will survive," Ben commented sourly. "He always does. We crack the case, he gets to be the hero."

My head whipped to Ben. Was that bitterness?

I saw no trace. Ben was smiling, relaxed for the first time in days. Maybe months.

As my father strode away, Shelton and Hi both unleashed dramatic yawns.

"Welp." Hi stretch his arms over his head. "I'd better go check on various things that aren't right here. You coming, Shelton?"

"Oh you know it." Hiding a smile. "Stuff to do. No time to waste."

I descended two steps.

Stopped.

Shot back up.

Wrapped Ben in a bone-crushing hug.

Startled, it took him a moment before he hugged me back.

"He didn't say anything to me," Hi repeated. "And if Shelton were sick, I'd be the first to hear about it. At length."

"So what's the plan?" Ben asked.

"Go inside. Look around. Improvise."

"Brilliant." Hi stroked his chin. "Quick question: Is having no plan the same as having a terrible plan, or are those different categories?"

#sorry this is so delayed #my absolute fave quote from this one is the kit freestyle rapping one #virals #virals series #quotes #long post

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porkchop-ao3 · 4 years

Text

A Thrill I’ve Never Known (Chapter 60)

Ambush

Sorry for the big gaps between chapters. I’m just not full of motivation anymore, but I’m trying. I hope this chapter is entertaining enough to make up for the wait. Lots of talk of prostitution in this one (and not respectfully), gunfights, conflict etc.

Tagging @emily-strange and @actuallyhansolo ❤

(All chapters tagged with #ATINK and also posted on Ao3, username PorkChop)

"You know Freeman went upstairs with Rose on Friday."

"Rose? The blonde one with the, uh–"

"Yeah you know the one."

"Jesus. You know a friend of mine's had her before."

"Yeah I know. And I know what you're gonna say."

I heard the two men laughing.

"Five bucks says Freeman's firing razor blades from his pisspipe as we speak."

More laughter and the sound of someone smacking someone on the shoulder. I sighed and rolled my eyes. I didn't know what to expect when the Pinkertons captured me, but sitting in the corner of an abandoned trading post for what felt like hours, listening to the irritating, dull chit chat coming from the four agents guarding me, was wearing thin startlingly quickly. I was starting to think physical torture would've been easier to endure.

"He's a dirty dog, that one."

"Ain't got no shame, neither. Good job he ain't here, you just know he'd…" the man who was speaking trailed off, and a shuffling sound alerted my senses to the fact that they were all looking at me. I lifted my head and met their gazes.

Of the four, two had been waiting when we arrived; the other two were Wilson and the one who'd carried me on his horse. All four of them were fairly young, probably around John's age, though they somehow looked older. Something about the suits they wore or the way they styled their moustaches aged them, though one of them was clean shaven; he looked the youngest as a result. They looked so ordinary. So unassuming and dull, you wouldn't look twice if you passed them in the street and I certainly wouldn't've called any of them handsome. But despite that, they all had rather high opinions of themselves.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am, I keep forgetting we're in the presence of a lady," the clean shaven one, the one who'd been speaking before, said to me with a twisted smile that showed his apology wasn't a sincere one. "Though I suppose you're quite used to the rough ways a man might talk, considering the company you keep."

"Actually they're far more polite," I answered.

I was sitting on the ground in the corner of the room furthest from the door. A lantern sat beside me, illuminating me the most out of everyone; the men were only just touched by the light and everything looked like it was in sepia tones. They were all by the doorway, carrying guns and leaning casually against the decrepit walls, though one had found something to sit down on and was smoking a cigarette, his gun sitting on the floor by his feet. I eyed it. They'd taken my gun and left me with my ankles and wrists chained together and for the past hour or so I'd been subtly searching for a way out of the predicament.

I was starting to regret my compliance, but I supposed it was better to be captured than dead. I knew which one Arthur would prefer, even if I did grow more and more concerned as time marched on about what had happened to him. I could only assume that while the men were still waiting around, Arthur was a free man. Surely I'd hear about it if they'd been successful in capturing him too, considering that was all they wanted me for. They hadn't been keeping it much of a secret.

"That so? So what're you? What's your role in the gang? You don't look like much of an outlaw," the guy continued, staring me down, his gun incidentally pointing in my vague direction with how he was holding it.

"I ain't, really," I admitted. "You think I'd've let you chain me up and keep me here so easy if I was confident enough in my ability to kill all'a you? I'm just… just ordinary."

"Come on, you know what she is," another man muttered to the first, nudging him with his elbow. "She's just like pretty little Rose. Ain't too many ways a woman can make money in their world, gunning down bank managers is often too much for their feminine sensibilities."

"So you're saying she's a whore? I ain't seen her in any of the saloons, and she weren't working earlier," Wilson said.

"A whore can walk into a bar and have a drink, you know, they ain't always working," the one sitting down argued.

Wilson snorted, "you show me a whore who ain't always working to some extent, and maybe I'll believe you."

"Maybe she's just the gang's whore. They all have a go. Morgan, though, he's her favourite. Opens wide for him for free," the one who first suggested I was a prostitute added, staring me down with a perverted smile, like he was enjoying the topic far too much. "Bet that's what they was out here for."

"That's unseemly, Thompson, shut the hell up," Wilson snapped, smacking him over the back of the head.

"Sorry, fellers. My wife's been giving me a hard time, tells me she don't want another baby, you know how they are," Thompson sighed, and the men around him hummed in varying tones of acknowledgement. My top lip curled mildly in disgust.

"You didn't answer us, missy," the seated agent prompted, and all eyes were on me again.

"You never gave me the chance, too busy coming up with your own narrative about my life," I murmured. They all kept their mouths shut and I filled the silence with nonsense. "Well I ain't a whore. They just keep me around to wash their drawers. Don't you know a bunch'a men can't live a comfortable life without having a band of women to pick up after 'em?"

"Ain't no use if they don't put out."

"Thompson!"

"So all you women are like housemaids?"

"Most of us. We all joined 'cause we're excited by the idea of handling gentleman's underthings, 'specially those belonging to dangerous, murderous outlaws," I murmured drily. "Nothing gets the heart going quite like it."

"She's having us on," Thompson hissed and I snickered.

"If only. We do special little jobs for 'em. They all have a thing they like," I began, looking up towards the roof in thought. "Your friend Mr. Bell, he likes us to rub vaseline into his hands before bed to keep 'em soft. Says it's 'cause he likes to pretend that they belong to a lady, though I can't fathom why he'd wanna do that," I frowned to myself.

I peered up at the men, watching their expressions twist in all different directions, some were confused, others were amused.

"Then Dutch likes us all to call him Master, and bow in his presence and not make eye contact, 'cause we ain't worthy. I mean, it's only fair. He's Dutch Van Der Linde! The biggest and baddest of them all," I carried on.

"She's talking shit," Thompson reiterated, and the others glanced at him like they knew full well. Well, they'd be stupid if they didn't.

"What about Mr. Morgan?" Wilson asked regardless.

"Mr. Morgan? Well, Mr…" I trailed off, my eyes drifting to the doorway where – speak of the devil – Arthur appeared. He met my eyes and his shoulders sagged with relief and I froze.

"Officers," his voice was deep and quiet but it got their attention. They all gasped and turned around, swinging up their guns. Arthur stood there with his hands up. It was impossible not to notice the large deep crimson patch on his shirt at his side. My mouth hung open as I stared at him.

"Mr. Morgan! Keep your damn hands up and don't move an inch!"

"Wait, hold on a second," he said, tone exasperated. "I got every intention of coming with you, and I'll go easy. Just let me watch you let the girl go."

"I don't think so. Thompson, cuff him," Wilson snapped, waving the man forward.

Arthur stepped back slowly. "Come on, now, I'm offering you a fair enough deal. All I want is for you to let the girl come out here, and ride off on my horse. As soon as I see that, and she's okay, I'm all yours. I ain't lookin' to fight no more. You'll catch me sooner or later–"

"Arthur," I squeaked, shaking my head.

"Don't worry princess, you're more important, just let them do their job," Arthur responded, not looking at me, his eyes keenly focused on the agent in front of him. "Please, officers. You want me, not her. Like I said, I'll go easy if you just do this one thing."

"We've got you outnumbered, and you're bleeding. We could make you come with us whether we let her go or not–"

"I'm also armed. And I also killed every one of those useless pricks you had waiting on me back there," Arthur cut him off, jerking his head in the direction of the camp, "I'm more than capable of killing you lot too, but frankly I'm tired. All I want is her safe."

"Get the girl," Wilson barked at the clean-shaven fellow and he approached me, dragging me to my feet by my arm. I grunted as he pulled me and the cuffs around my ankles dug in, and I tried to keep up. I was led outside, closer to Arthur, I stared at him with my eyes wide and my mouth in a little 'o'.

"Arthur, don't… don't–" I whispered.

"This is a long time coming. Better they take me now than later, and risk you getting wrapped up in this any more," he looked me in the eye, his expression was so difficult to read. My heart pounded so hard I felt sick.

"Please," I begged, a sob exploding from me.

"Be a good girl, come on," he said gently, his eyes drifting back to agent Thompson.

"They'll hang you!" I cried.

"For God's sake, Thompson, unlock her cuffs and get her on that damn horse. Get her out of here," Wilson snapped irritably and the clink of keys sounded behind me. He pulled my wrists towards him and I turned as he unlocked my hands first, then crouched down to unlock my ankles.

"Sweetheart, I'm asking you... to do as you're damn well told!" Arthur spat those final words with sharp and bitter venom in his tone that made me flinch. It was that deep growl of a tone. That one he had never, ever used on me, the one that I knew was carefully curated for his enemies and took a conscious decision to use. It was enough to clear my head, make me look at the bigger picture. That wasn't an accident, I knew Arthur would never speak to me like that; especially not if he believed it'd be the last he saw of me.

I placed my trust and my faith entirely in him. "I love you," I breathed, and then I was shoved towards Jet, standing a few feet away.

"I love you too, princess," Arthur replied quietly. My eyes blurred as I reached his horse, pulling myself up into the saddle. I turned to look at Arthur as I rode away, and his gaze stayed locked on me as long as distance would allow.

I was breathing fast and heavy and every bone in my body was telling me to turn around and go back, to do something in case he really was handing himself over– and then I saw Taima. And Old Boy. And Bob! And I knew that my gut instinct to trust Arthur and to follow his advice was not leading me astray. I slowed and stopped by the horses, which were waiting out of view from the trading post, and there was about three seconds of silence before there was gunfire. Not a lot. A sudden flurry of blasts, an ambush, which went on for a few unsteady breaths before there was silence again.

I stared in the direction of the trading post, my eyes focused on nothing but fog and trees. I waited, itching to turn back, to see what had happened; but I gave it time. I trusted.

And in a few moments, I saw them all. John, Charles, Sadie and Arthur, walking back over towards the horses and I. I exhaled a sharp breath, a smile spreading across my face, relief seeping into every corner of my body and making me feel as though I could scream. The appreciation and love I felt for those four people far surpassed anything I had ever felt in my life, and before I knew it I was crying. I urged Jet forwards, closing the distance between us all, and the other horses followed.

"You… you–" I exclaimed nothing in particular, shaking my head in astonishment once I reached them all. I slid down off of Jet, my foot catching in the stirrup and propelling me face first towards the ground. Arms jolted forwards to catch me, and Charles and Sadie broke my fall, holding me upright. I used the excuse to throw my arms around them, squeezing them tight. "Thank you so much!"

"Steady on," Sadie chuckled at my overzealousness, but her tone soon turned serious, “are you alright?”

I let them go, leaning back to look at her. I nodded firmly when I saw the concerned look in her eye.

“They didn't hurt you?” She asked, her brows raising in a way that told me she wasn't just asking about cuts and bruises.

“No, I’m fine, honest,” I offered her a reassuring smile, and she squeezed my arm, relief making her shoulders drop.

I took a breath and spun to plant a hug on John too. He laughed and patted my back.

"What's with all the hugging these days?" He teased.

"I just feel so lucky to know you all," I sighed, letting him go and looking towards Arthur. He was standing there with his hand on his side, his other hand holding my satchel and gun belt. I stepped forward and hugged him more gently than the others, my arms around his neck, my fingers combing through his hair and cupping the back of his head. "Those bastards, what've they done to you?"

"I'm okay. Nothing serious," he whispered to me, wrapping one arm around me, unable to grip as it was full of my stuff. I kissed the side of his head then I pulled away and took my things from him, fastening the belt around me and throwing the satchel over my shoulder.

"I'm so sorry, Arthur," I whispered. He shook his head, kissed my forehead and then gestured to the horses.

"Come on, we'd best go. We'll pick up the tent on our way and then we'll… we'll head back to camp," he said. My mouth opened at the mention of camp, Micah's face suddenly taking up every corner of my mind. Arthur and the others mounted up and I stood there, shell shocked. "Sweetheart?"

"It's Micah," I blurted out. Arthur frowned immediately.

"What is?"

"The rat. Micah is the rat," I stammered, eyes jerking between each of their faces. They were all blank for a moment as it sunk in. Then there was rage.

"They said that?" John hissed.

"I figured it out. I-it had to have been, there was no other– they picked me up after they saw me in Van Horn, but Micah was there! It's gotta be him– it has to be–"

"Slow down, tell us everything, we can't go in there half-cocked, not having all the facts," Charles held his hand up to me and I hesitated, staring at him for a moment.

"Get up here, princess, explain on the way. We can't stay here," Arthur said, holding his hand out to me. He helped me up onto the horse and we all started riding.

#rdr2 #red dead redemption 2 #arthur morgan #fanfiction #arthur morgan x reader #arthur morgan x female reader #atink #reader insert #rdr2 fanfic

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hatsukeii · 4 years

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hi hi, i have a levi scenario request! so, the reader is known to act on an instant, driven by intuition, which makes her valuable soldier. but when she meets her crush levi at night while they both can't sleep she just suddenly kisses him without thinking about whats driven her to do that. and idk, levi's just perplex but he didn't dislike it. dk how to wrap it up, so u can choose! i hope this is alright! :)

Yoo that’s acc a really good prompt thank you!

I’m naming the fic after a song and YOU CAN’T STOP ME-

Scrawny// Levi x reader

Word count: 1900+

Warnings: Mild swearing

Summary: Due to severe insomnia, you decide to wake your captain up and make him spar with you.

“Captain. Caaaaptainnnnnn. Leeeviiii. Levi Heichouuuu. Captain Leeeeeeevi-” An irritated grunt sounded from inside the room. “Name and business. Make it quick.” You gave yourself a little victory pump, an idiotic smile now plastered on your face. “(Y/N) sir! I need some help!” The door was whipped open by none other than your fuming captain, his permanent scowl looking extra pissed. “What in the actual name of hell are you doing here? It’s past midnight, get your ass back to bed, and out of my office.” The wooden door was slammed in your face, startling you a bit as you let out a yelp and jumped. You huffed out, pouting a bit as you placed an elbow on the door, continuing to knock relentlessly. “Heiiichouuuuu. Pleaaaaaase help meeeeee. Levi heichouuuuuuuuu. I can’t do it aloneeeee, it’d be pointlessssssss.”

How did you get into this situation?

Well.

You were initially going to stay put and just roll yourself to sleep, or at least try to. But the boredom became way too much for you to bear very quickly. Your mind debated between the sensible option, which was to just wait for the sun to rise, or to just get some training in. Specifically, get someone to spar with you. Everyone in your cabin was fast asleep at this ungodly hour, soft snores from the girls filling up the cozy space. You continued to toss and turn, forcing your eyes shut and trying to relax. You stayed still for about five minutes or so, before a loud snort resonated throughout the room, jolting you awake from your short lived peace. Groaning in annoyance, you glared towards the direction of the unwomanly sound, landing your eyes on Sasha, who was sound asleep in a weird position. It was already 1am. You had to wake at 5am. You weren’t about to get any sleep anytime soon. Insomnia’s an actual bitch. Following your thoughts, you practically rolled out of your bed, trying to comb down your terrifyingly disheveled hair, before changing into some workout clothes, slipping on your shoes, and waddling towards the office of one person you were certain would be awake at this time- Captain Levi. Everyone in the Corps knew of his terrible sleep schedule, so you were positive he was still awake and working. In addition to that, you would rather die than admit it to the other cadets, but you were completely whipped for Levi, so just getting any form of time alone with him would be a blessing to you. Even if it was just to spar.

“Heichou please help me, I can’t stand it any longerrrrrr, I’m gonna die of boredom, do you feel me Levi heichouuuu-” The door you were leaning on so comfortably swung open, catching you off guard. You started to fall, nothing around being useful in supporting you. All Levi did was walk out of the way and watch your tiny body fly towards the hard wooden floor. “Jesus brat, what the hell do you want from me?” You stood up rapidly, dusting yourself off, before scratching your head. “Can you spar with me?” Levi’s eyes widened, his mouth hanging open. “Are you serious right now?” You timidly nodded, chuckling dryly in a terrible attempt to alleviate the tense and awkward vibe of the situation. “(Y/L/N). You disturb me, at 1am, while I’m doing paperwork, to spar? Couldn’t this wait for tomorrow? Go back to sleep, this is an order.” He proceeded to walk back into his office, hand reaching out for the door handle. You laughed lightheartedly, keeping the door open with your foot. “Levi heichouuu, I’m sure you know how big of a bitch insomnia is, will you help a fellow poor sufferer out? Pretttty pleaaaase?” There was no way Levi was about to reject that request. How could he when you were acting so cute? Your whiny ass could melt even the coldest of people, himself included.

The minute you joined the Survey Corps, Levi already had his eyes on you. According to the information Shadis gave him, you were an extremely valuable asset when it came to scheming and fighting. Your intuition was like none other. It was impressive. Perhaps even more impressive than Sasha’s. During battle, your pure gut instincts have saved many soldiers. Most of them knew the name (Y/N) as the insanely accurate fortune teller. You knew exactly where titans would be, and how they would attack. That combined with your logic, made you an excellent tactician. What brought you down, were your physical skills. You were never the fittest person, often times collapsing after only five laps around the training area. You barely passed the ODM gear test, and almost broke a bone sparring with Connie. CONNIE. Since then, Levi has noticed you skipping dinner and training in your free time, whether it was just normal working out, or practising punches and kicks. He had initiated conversations with you before, usually starting off serious, but those talks usually turned into dumb arguments over questions like whether you could eat medicine with tea, or whether Eren was actually dysphoric. As months passed by, you became one of the few people that managed to get close to Levi. Although the captain may not show it, he had to admit, he has grown quite fond of you with time too.

“Good lord, fine, you scrawny ass brat. I’ll spar with you for an hour and an hour only. No buts. Consider yourself lucky I’m actually giving into your ridiculous request.” You beamed, jumping up and down like a child seeing a cotton candy machine, then crossing your arms over your chest, giving Levi a fake pout. “Thank you so much cap! For the record, I’m not scrawny!” He only grunted in response, letting you drag him to the training grounds. On the way, you sensed something off. No, scratch that, there was just a weird vibe. It was like something waiting to happen, but you couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was exactly. You were skeptical for a bit, before you let it go and took it as sheer paranoia.

“(Y/L/N), you’re getting better.” You were completely drenched in sweat at this point, your muscles aching like crazy. You two had been sparring for about thirty minutes only, and somehow you were already worn out, whilst Levi was still completely fine, not a single drop of sweat evident. “C’mon cadet, you can do better than this. You asked me to spar with you, bring it.” You huffed out, panting like a thirsty dog, arms on your knees. “Yeah, hold on, just give me one second to just-” You took in a few deep breaths, before stretching your arms and legs, getting into a fighting stance again. “Okay, I think I’m all good captain.” Levi sent out a tiny smirk, charging towards you without warning. He sent a punch toward your jaw, missing by mere centimetres as you dodged it, grabbing his arm, knocking him off his feet, and throwing him to the ground. “Whooo! I finally won! Once!” You cheered a bit too early. Within seconds, you were flipped over again, the captain’s lean figure now hovering over you in a straddle. “Guard up until the opponent either passes out, dies, or surrenders. That’s rule number one of fighting. That was a pretty impressive throw though, I’ll give you that.” You sighed in defeat, tapping out quickly. “Seriously? You’re going to give up like that? That’s not the (Y/N) I know.” You thought about that for a second. “You know what captain? You’re right.” Smirking evilly, you got into a guard position, kicking your legs up to wrap around his chest as you rolled over, hovering over him in a mount.

Maybe you were dumb. Or maybe you were too immersed in the fight. But you didn’t realise how close you and Levi were until then. Your face burned multiple different shades of red as you went silent for a few moments, Levi staring at you in confusion. “Oi, what did I tell you about not being distracted during a fight?” He tried to shift into a better position, when your hand came down onto his collar. Should I do this? You were about to take a huge risk. Your brain was desperately trying to stop you from doing god knows what next. However your heart was throbbing, messing with your thought process. You felt that weird, tingly vibe in the air again, this time paying close attention to it instead of just ignoring it like the last time. Maybe this is the world’s way of telling me to do this thing? Is it? You pondered over the thought, staying as still as a statue. “(Y/F/N)? Did you listen to a word I said-”

You know what? To hell with your doubts and worries.

Grabbing the soft fabric of his shirt, you harshly pulled him towards you, attacking his lips with your own as you refused to let go, squeezing your own eyes shut. He was audibly shocked, giving out a tiny yelp as you continued to kiss him. His hair tickled your forehead, his breaths tickled your face, the fact that you were kissing your captain tickled every single little thing inside of you. For a few moments, you could hear your embarrassment buzzing in your own ears, before you finally pulled away, lowering Levi back down to the ground as you let go of his shirt. Your eyes widened at what you just did, your entire body going hot as you took your time to let the fact that you just kissed your hot, badass, midget captain sink in. Your hand went up to cover your mouth as you gave a muffled scream, getting off of him immediately and apologising profoundly. “U-uh I think that’s probably enough sparring for tonight, I’ll go see if I can go back to sleep now. Goodnight cap!” You screamed as you ran back to the cabin, completely flustered and feeling very hot. Slamming the cabin door close, you looked around, to see a tall figure sitting up from her bed, turning on a lamp. “(Y/N)...? What are you doing in workout clothes? And… why are you all red and sweaty?” You jumped, cursing a bit at Mikasa’s question as the other girls started to wake up from the noise that you made. “I- uh, it’s a long story….” Ymir smirked, before placing an arm on your shoulder. “Don’t worry. Get changed, and we’ll have all night to talk about it.” The other girls agreed, sending you evil looks as you grabbed your sleeping clothes and proceeded to clean up and change, your risky move from just now still circling your mind like a hive of annoying ass bees.

Meanwhile, Levi could not comprehend what the hell just happened. Did she just kiss me? He fixed his collar, which was now dirtied and wrinkled as he scrunched his nose at the disgraceful sight. “Tch, that brat, running away as if I would be on her ass for the rest of her life as a soldier after she did that.” He let his hand go up to touch his lips, seemingly fascinated by how he didn’t resist or anything. He was beyond confused. Never in a billion years did he expect to be kissed by someone in the military, let alone someone in his own squad. He tried to ignore his cheeks that were feeling warm as he dusted himself off, standing up and walking back to his office, mumbling to himself.

“Why’d you run away so quickly (Y/N)? I didn’t say I disliked that or anything.

Hoe hoe hoe I have finally finished this req! This was so fun to write oh lord I was laughing to myself-

This one goes into the short kings clan👑👑

Hope you liked it anon🥺👉👈💕

Tags:

@burnt-tomato @lydzisanerd @bokutokoutarou @trashcanweeb @izzyphantomgamer @artsamber @ewfilthymundane @macaronnn @sunshines-and-tatertots @for-ests @inlwlevi

Idek why I can’t tag @ewfilthymundane but I’m soRry

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unproduciblesmackdown · 3 years

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comet, moon, pluto, aquila, protostar

Thank You vm

Comet- What are you currently frustrated about?

lmaooo oh you know at any given time i’m weaving this rich tapestry of continual frustrations lol.....i’d say i’m in an Upswing Period of [simmering frustration levels closer to the surface] lately too lol like earlier in the week i pushed through a day or two there more casually but then it was like ah jeez here comes the malaise. more specifically today, even just before sitting down to answer this, i emerged from the bathroom to find there was a “dog has pooped inside despite having been outside within the last 10 min” shituation, which was wonderful.....annoyed from Waking by “smh at not being able to adjust my nocturnality, still frustrated about the near success of last friday being thwarted by the dead of night hammering debacle,” & regular Antagonizing Audio issues, aka being stressed by both the [loud, alarming] type sound & the [gross textural misophonia hell] type.....earlier i was like “where is the dish sponge” (still don’t know) & went to get a new, packaged one which had been in a drawer, but that one was gone too, good that there’s no pressing need to wash dishes rn i guess.....still struggling with the “well i guess i’m trying to put myself out there Socially” attempt to find relevant public discords, being generally overwhelmed as actually talking to randos in a group is A Lot & in theory it’s like well you meet someone Specific you’d enjoy talking to & branch off from there but unfortunately you can’t just skip to that step, also i do not genuinely Expect to get to that step either way, also i am not easily finding servers in the 1st place b/c it’s like, well i talk about Interests but what am i interested in? who knows. don’t do art “seriously” enough to rly wanna discuss it much, thought abt Language Learning but one i found wants you to have a verified account lmao like, no thanks. in theory i enjoy Socializing some but in practice it is sure a trial & i have not said anything to anyone anywhere yet, just a “well, not sure what else i could do here situation,” in theory take up an In Person hobby / group to make it all easier but that’s not happening. which, i was also Frustrated remembering oh right i spent a year as measured by my personal age in 1 location, both Pandemic & other [society] problems, & speaking of Interests & Hobbies not having them, i was also >:| over something having kicked in my Math Sensibilities (aka that i like math) & wondering like, would i have enjoyed getting more into math / some particular application, who knows, same but also even more so re: other things i get the sense i’m quite Into, like learning languages & ~performing arts~, which, i at least took math / math related classes into college level courses, which is not true for those other things (took a Language Class: never, took a theatre / drama class: for 1/4 of the schoolyear in 7th grade, & prior to that, just did a scene or two of a play in english class 4th grade, & the approx decade extracurricular of ballet, which is related but of course a different thing. anyhow, annoyed that i Simply Do Not Know & hardly see opportunities to find out on the horizon, although who knows.....which is related to being frustrated about [Society] some more like, thinking about “boy how different would it be if people were guaranteed the right to Essentials For Life like housing, food, medical care, both electricity & the internet Now A Days...” like, agonizing What If there, it is all so unnecessary that It Is Like This......just now someone made an unnecessary Post lmfao thank you xkit.......oh right, i was Frustrated, with an emphasis In Aro / Ace, about Media & Life, what else is new & then, you know, musings on The Theoretical Future & One’s Personal Past that would become even more of a like, audioscape: therapy session topic, these are frustrating things. and all of this answer has been stuff i remember getting Frustrated about in the past 24 hours. Also!!! that last night i was like, i want to play scrabble, so i looked up an online game but the Computer settings are a nightmare like, as far as i could tell the Difficulty settings were mostly attuned to Average Word Length but it was like, yeah you’re playing against this opponent given this effective total familiarity with the most obscure / archaic shit in the scrabble dictionary, not even simply the like, q words / two letter words ppl might happen to know specifically for the purposes of scrabble. there was also no “new game” button?? just had to refresh the page? smh. oh lmfao! also! you Know i was frustrated thinking about Billions, the series / interest that antagonizes you, jokes on you when you hone in on the Quant where it’s like, is he just meant to be the guy who sucks, plus he’s got depression....suppose they do at least handle him w/some sympathy / nonzero Care for this Char acter, but smh at sighing about [bracing yourself for anything promising (cough riawin) to spiral into disaster one way or another, whether it turns into a joke or plot device or just something introduced / built up / demolished for ambient drama/conflict].....what else is new. the periodic cycles of Billions Thoughts lol. was just frustrated at a video’s Editing Cadence basically lmfao. i also find it grating when the word “the jab” is used in tweets re: vaccination, which i just saw, presumably in the same sort of way where i automatically dislike the phrase To Be Fair or referring to food/eating with “fill / filling” or any variants lmfao, or earnest use of the description “hearty”......some words i hate the sound of no matter what, some i hate to hear used in a particular phrase / context......need to simply stop doing things in the middle of answering this b/c it will inevitably involve Frustrations lmfaooo. oh also i was annoyed to wake up to a clear sky. where’s that overcast atmosphere

Moon- Are you currently reading any books? If so, what book(s)?

i am not, but i’ve been considering it! just inconvenient b/c a) i gotta like, choose what book/s to read, & b) i have to read via laptop, which is kind of a pain, & c) like with everything, i always tend to basically read stuff all at once, but i’m also a slow reader lmao, so it’s like, okay, i’m probably basically devoting days on end to Reading Through whatever.....

Pluto- If you could meet anyone, alive or dead, who would you meet?

another classic Fascinating Answer of “i dunno” lol, i’ve never really had a go to answer for this or anything that’s particularly leapt out.....plus re: how i tend to feel nervous with on the spot socializing, the concept of like “if you could have dinner with someone” is too much lmfao like, a waste of time, i’d simply Be Nervous my way completely through it. the only way i could think of things is like, here i go giving someone an interview, i guess, and whomst tf would i feel Prepared to talk to lmfao. relevant to interests it’s like well of course you could ask w. roland things the in depth secret jared questions, or Any questions about quant n billions, but then it’s also like, well, there’s the questions I already have an answer for lol & either you have the same answer or i have a mini monologue, not like i don’t speak in mini monologues all the time if i have something to say at all, and my Questions go like that too lmfao, a disaster already trying to ask people about pertinent Information......never able to think of things re: people who have died, i suppose there’s fun answers re: like, getting lost / unknown Historical Info......when it comes to meeting people i don’t really consider it much in advance b/c i am nervous about everything & aware that any interacting is a Challenge lmfao. whenever these things actually happen, it’s hardly always a disaster, but i’m just improvising in the end. also, i could meet people i actually know but have never met, i.e. you, who i talk to but we are Virtual & Pandemic’d & etc & so on. but i suppose that’s kind of a given lol

Aquila- Do you prefer to read books or watch movies?

i think movies are less Involved for me, like, even if it takes me 3x their runtime (or longer) to watch any videos thanks to getting distracted & stuff, still quicker than i read a book, & unless i’m watching something for the first time and/or really wanting to properly pay attention, i can do other things while putting a movie on, whereas if i’m reading that’s the One Thing i can be doing. but overall i’m like “media, what media” whichever format lol like. haven’t consumed things, don’t often think of specific works i want/plan to consume, don’t often get around to it, etc. classique.....

Protostar- Give a random fact about yourself.

speaking of classic, me struggling to recall 101 info about myself or answer not that out there Questions, but when it’s like “alright hater what are you disgruntled about now” it’s like, Deep Inhale lmfao, but [are you okay? Is Anyone].jpeg on that one as well, we are out here......uh i’m sure i’ve said it before but i’m around 5′11″? maybe 6 ft tall but that might be overdoing it. sort of Average Tall but i am always literally looking down on people lmao.....and bumping my head into a low hanging light fixture around here.....

#nothingunrealistic1 #you know that's my On Brand query lol.....the three dozen ways of annoyed i probably am / have been on any given day

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cottontail20 · 4 years

Text

In Happy Times, Our Love Does Grow, Chapter 44: Sexy Bunny

Summary: Wanda helps Vision with Easter Bunny duties.

Ao3 link :https://archiveofourown.org/works/20601530/chapters/56716072#workskin

Nightmares aside, Wanda ended up having the best night's sleep she'd experienced in quite a long time. In Vision's arms, with Viv snuggled safely between them, Wanda felt perfectly at peace, like this was exactly where she was meant to be.

Vision and Viv seemed to sleep exceptionally well too. Perfectly content.

Everyday, it was getting easier to ignore the nasty little voice in Wanda's head that told her she wasn't good enough for Vision and Viv, and harder to deny the idea that maybe, just maybe, the three of them belonged together. --

The following morning began with a ritual that had been established on previous weekend sleepovers: Watching cartoons, and eating sugary cereal of the kind that, in the home of a sensible parent like Vision, was most definitely only allowed on weekends and special occasions.

Viv, being a very perceptive child, perched herself in Wanda's lap as they watched and munched, not knowing what her nightmare had been about, but somehow knowing that Wanda felt better having her close by.

Vision, with his arm around Wanda, let TV time go on quite a bit longer than he normally would have, even on a weekend. They were just so comfortable, and besides, this wasn't just any weekend, it was a Holiday weekend. He could relax the rules just a little more, right? As Wanda kissed his cheek, resting her head on his shoulder, Vision decided that yes, he definitely could. --

Later that afternoon, they set about making their Easter baskets ready for the following day.

"First, you gotta make a kind of box thingy, for the baskety part of the basket.." Viv was explaining.

"Of course" Wanda smiled, listening intently.

"And then we glue a handle on.. Can you hold it while I glue, Wanda?" Viv asked. "Usually Daddy does, but he's busy making you a cup of tea.."

"Mhmm.." Wanda flashed a smile to Vision in the Kitchen as she held the handle in place for Viv.

"And the other side.."

"Got it.."

"Done!" Viv grinned.

"That is a very fine looking basket" Vision smiled as he came to sit beside Wanda, who thanked him with a kiss as he set a mug of tea in front of her.

"Thank you, Daddy! Now we've just gots to make baskets for you and Wanda, and then we can decorate them!" --

So, they made two more baskets. Decorated them with stickers and drawings, laughing and having a wonderful time all the while.

Before they knew it, the sun was slipping below the horizon.

Wanda helped Vision whip up an easy evening meal, and after eating, they watched a movie with Viv before they both tucked her into bed.

"Remember, Vivian" Vision told his daughter as he kissed her goodnight, "The Easter Bunny is like Santa Claus."

"Your Father is right, Fata dulce" Wanda agreed, brushing a stray hair out of the little girl's face. "The Bunny will only come after you go to sleep."

"I know" Viv yawned, snuggling deeper into her blankets. "Goodnight, Daddy. Goodnight, Wanda."

"Goodnight" Vision smiled softly.

"Vise placute" Wanda added, as they crept out of the room. "Sweet dreams.." --

"Wanda.." whispered Vision, a few moments after they had pulled the door almost, but not all the way shut, "How would you like to be the Easter Bunny with me?"

"Hmm.." A cheeky smile crossed Wanda's face, and she rushed off to fetch something from her bag. "Give me a minute.."

"Alright.." Though slightly confused, Vision waited as Wanda had asked him.

Soon, Wanda returned, wearing the bunny ears she donned at work.

"Is this good?"

"Yes" Vision chuckled. "Very good."

"And this?" She turned, revealing that she was also wearing a tail.

"Uh, yes.." Vision blushed a little, trying very hard to focus on the tail and not.. anything else. "That's good too."

"Alright then. Let's go, Easter Bunny Wanda on duty!"

Giving her 'tail' a wiggle that was maybe a little less subtle than she intended, Wanda set off. When Vision followed her, unable to stop a happy, puppy dog look from spreading over his face, she smirked.

As much as Wanda hated all the 'Sexy Bunny' comments she inevitably received around Easter time at the Party Store, right now she found that she really didn't mind being one for Vision. -- Once Vision had fetched the Easter Eggs, he and Wanda set about hiding them. Some they scattered around all the obvious places. Others, they more stealthily tucked into little nooks and crannies about the House.

By the time the two Easter Bunnies were completely satisfied with their work, it was getting rather late. They had just enough time for one more hot drink before admitting that it was time to turn in.

"I'm guessing Viv will be up early Tomorrow for her Easter Hunt?" Wanda asked, as she drained the last of her tea.

"She will" Vision nodded, finishing the last of his own drink.

"I suppose we should probably think about bed.." Wanda stood, intending to head for Viv's room as she usually did, even if, somehow, that did not feel entirely right anymore.

"I suppose.." Vision hesitated, unsure whether he was about to overstep a line, but now that he had held Wanda as she slept, even just the once, it felt wrong to have her sleep here and not be holding her. "Wanda?"

"Mmhm?" She looked at him.

"You.. You can stay with me, if you like.." Vision blushed. "If you'd rather not, if it's too much I understand, it's just.. It was nice, holding you.."

Wanda cut him off, bending slightly to kiss him.

"It's not too much."

"It's not?"

"No" Wanda smiled softly. "I.. It's nice being held, and like I said, I trust you" She offered Vision her hand. "So.. Time for bed?"

"Yes.." Vision smiled, taking her hand. "Time for bed." --

So, once again, Vision held Wanda as she slept, because it felt right to do so, felt like in his arms was where she belonged.

And the next day, when Viv jumped on them to wake them both up, excitedly declaring that the Easter Bunny had come, and wanting to begin her hunt.. Vision watched Wanda, occasionally picking up a few eggs for her own basket, while leaving most for Viv. Watched Wanda gently guide the little girl towards the better hidden eggs, without telling her straight out where they were, letting Viv enjoy the sense of victory that came from working it out herself.

And as he watched, and Wanda flashed a dazzling smile in his direction.. Vision couldn't help falling a little more in love with her.

#scarlet vision #ScarletVision #scarlet vision au #scarletvisionau #Scarlet Witch #wanda maximoff #vision mcu #wanda x vision #vision x wanda #viv vision #Avengers #MCU #avengers au #mcu au

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ivara-is-my-friend · 4 years

Text

it is when max and @canadiangold‘s tin meet the first time!!!!

Maxis is still growing accustomed to her new life and its... adventures. Rewiring her brain to perceive former enemies that she’d shoot on sight as now allies she’d fight for was one of the trickier things. Between her and Hush, she still reflexively scoped in on any distant Grineer heads that meandered in front of her Argonak. But she never, ever pulled the trigger. Not anymore.

Rewiring her brain to perceive the Tenno as enemies, her former brothers and sisters under the Lotus, was harder. Formerly fighting alongside them and their Warframes, now targeting them in particular when on a mission. Hush, Trouvaille, and Maxis were the Hounds’ best bet against any interfering Tenno forces.

Fortunately, so far that hasn’t been an issue. Corpus infiltrations were easy enough to do with Hush’s abilities, so even if a Tenno did show, they were usually finished with their task at hand before any others arrived.

“Maxis. Can you see the vault yet?” Her commander, Zus, grunted through her comm link.

“Not quite,” she whispers back from the spot they’d taken for now: under a set of stairs, squished behind crates and barrels of miscellaneous goods. “We need to proceed further down the hallway to the side, and it should be there.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yeah.” Former Tenno ways of running rampant into Corpus facilities and ships granted Max the knowledge of the basic layouts of the buildings. Corpus seemed to be rather unimaginative in their architecture, at least in these cases. The same patterns repeated over and over; the same room layouts recycled for efficiency and savings, probably.

“You’re lucky I’m lenient,” Zus mutters. “You’re rather informal with your speaking.”

Max flushes under the cover of her facemask, but her eyes go wide. “Sorry,” she stammers quietly. “Uh, sir.”

“Cut that out. Get what you’re doing done; we can focus on mannerisms some other time.” The link beeps as the line is cut.

Hush peers at Max, still fidgeting nervously after the communication from her commander. Trouvaille swirls an ear to face her, but stays focused on the doorway nearest to them.

“It’s...nothin’,” Max whispers, brushing off Hush’s concern.

Hush doesn’t seem to believe her, but does look away.

Oh, great. This is, what, my third mission? And I’m already pissing the commander off.

She shakes her head to rattle the thoughts out. “Hush, you know the plan?” Her Ivara Warframe nods, rifling through her quiver for the correct arrows.

“Trouvaille.” The kubrow, snaps to attention, going stock-still. “Heel.” He slinks over to Max’s feet, and lies in wait.

Hush cloaks herself in Prowl silently, then quickly tags an arrow onto Maxis and Trouvaille to render them unseen for a short period.

“Okay. Keep them distracted, yeah?” A nod from Hush. “Let’s roll.”

Max prides herself on how silently she could move when she wants to. It’s part of what convinced the Hounds to take her little trio in, under the guise of working for intelligence infiltrations. Hush is always silent, no matter what she did. Hush could fire off a deafening shotgun and enemies would still be left trying to figure out where the noise had come from. Trouvaille was surprisingly quiet as well, figuring out how to walk on the pads of his paws to stay silent. He also worked up a near-imperceptible series of noises to signal Maxis and Hush: a low growl, a quick huff, a muted grunt, a quiet whuff.

Crewmen mill around in the hallway they slither through, oblivious that they’d been infiltrated in the first place. Still, Hush kept a noise arrow ready for use.

“There’s the vault,” Max whispers mostly to herself. Hush knew the fact. Trouvaille... doesn't care. Trouvaille just wants Max safe.

They sidle into the entrance to the vault, the outer door swishing shut behind them as the cloak arrows wear off and Hush comes out of Prowl.

“Uh…” Max stares at the console.

The screen is green.

The vault is unlocked. Why is it unlocked? Who’s in there?

Trouvaille’s fur bristles as he gives a warning snarl. Hush is on alert as well, Artemis Bow ready to harm rather than disguise.

“We don’t know who it is yet,” Max worries. “Just...keep your trigger-finger off the trigger for now.”

Hush nods warily, but cloaks her Operator and kubrow again.

“You keep an eye out for company. Trouvaille and I will go to the target console.”

Hush slips into the vault and goes one way, while Max and Trouvaille go the other. The vault is eerily silent and dormant. No guards wandered their patrol routes. No security cameras hummed as they scan the area. Even the laser grids seem to have been disabled.

Max is naive, but certainly not dumb.

A shape moves inside the tiny walled-off area the console is hidden in. Ah. There’s our company.

“Hush, they’re at the console. Distract them.”

Hush breaks open a vent grate, using the clattering of metal bars to jump in the vent unnoticed. The shape by the console freezes.

Still cloaked, Max and Trouvaille round a corner and enter the tiny room. The tension is damn near palpable with how close they all are. Hush purposefully rustles in the vents above them, the stranger--a Warframe? A Saryn Prime, by the looks of it--looking up to follow the noise.

Oh, no. Max’s stomach sinks and her heart chills. Please, no. Not now.

The Saryn Prime draws a Tiberon Prime, slowly raising it to aim at the grates above them with a few steps to the side.

Get in there. Max slinks up to the console, nimble fingers working quickly over the screen to unlock the data within.

She’s just finishing up the hack when Trouvaille snarls, deep and guttural and threatening.

And then the Prime bodily runs in to the cloaked Operator.

“What the--?” A surprised female voice emanates from the Warframe as it swings its rifle in Max’s general direction. “Who’s there? Show yourself, now. We know you’re here.”

For crying out loud, this is just my luck, Max laments to herself. Of course it’s another Warframe, one that can melt their armor off in seconds. Of course it’s another Operator that’s mastered actual Transference, making the link between Warframe and Operator stronger and more flexible.

Trouvaille is still bristling and growling as the cloak arrows wear off at the contact.

Max gawks at the Saryn Prime, finger on the trigger of her Argonak to at least provide cover if needed.

“You’re... what, a competitor?” The Saryn’s voice sounds like how a smirk looks.

Maxis says nothing, eyes narrowing suspiciously, finger still on the trigger.

“You are a Tenno, right?”

Max doesn’t respond.

“Where’s your Warframe, then?”

Max stays silent, glaring.

“You’re not very friendly, you know.” The Saryn declares as she holsters the Tiberon.

Max falters, eyebrows raising for a split second.

“Oh, that got you? Hurt your feelings?”

The Saryn Prime stands still, arms at her side, for a moment. Her Operator swiftly Transfers out of the Warframe, and stands proudly, arrogantly before the intruders, a full seven inches taller than Maxis. The Saryn crosses her arms as she stands behind the other Tenno, reinforcing the intimidating image.

“You gonna hand that data over?” She asks cockily.

Max glares again as Trouville growls.

“A little kubrow to watch your back instead of a Warframe, then?” The other Operator peers closer at the canine. “A Grineer patch…? You’re allied with the Grineer?” She asks incredulously.

Max anxiously shifts her weight on her feet.

“You’ve got the patch too. You’re allied with them?”

Silence.

“Interesting... How about we strike a deal.” She says with faux-earnesty. “Give me that data from the console, and I’ll let you scamper back to your pack of dogs you’ve somehow managed to worm into.”

Maxis’ hand tightens around the small datamass with all the information on it.

“I’ll admit, I admire your gall.” She steps closer, Trouvaille’s growl growing in volume. “Give it over. I’m trying to help you out, here. A scathing scolding from your superior would be preferable to death, no?”

Hush snaps out of the vent above them, slamming into the ground between the two Tenno. The Saryn Prime flinches, but readies herself, pulling her Operator back towards her to safety. Hush mimics the motion.

“An Ivara for a spy mission? Cliche, but smart, I suppose.”

A commotion raises from outside the vault. Voices and footsteps nearing quickly.

“Last chance, sweetheart. Hand it over.”

Hush seems damn near about to burst into flame at the anger radiating off of her form. Before she can act, the entrance door to the vault whooshes open, an unruly herd of Crewmen barging in and shouting.

“Lovely,” the Operator mutters as she Transfers back into her Saryn Prime. She looks curiously at Maxis when she doesn’t do the same with Hush. “You go on your own? That’s courageous, I’ll admit.”

Max ignores what the non-sensible part of her mind is spewing. Her looks. Say she looks nice. Ask if she wants to meet up in a different environment. Be her friend. Make a friend. Be nice. Just--

A firm huff of air clears her head. “Hush, get back to the vents and sleep arrow some of those Crewmen.” Hush obeys immediately, leaping back up to the displaced grate to round the vents and throw out a sleep arrow. The arrow hits the ground with a tunk, and the Crewmen in the immediate area slump over.

Involuntarily, Max throws a hand over her shoulder, ushering the Saryn Prime out.

“No need to tell me what to do,” the Operator’s voice rings out of the Warframe. “I can handle myself just fine.” She charges out of the vault, swinging a strange sword in strong backhanded strikes. The Warframe quickly infects a few unfortunate targets with spores that rapidly festered and strengthened as they spread.

But they did not affect Max, or Hush, or Trouvaille.

Be touched about the act of kindness later.

Hush flies down from the vent, clearing a path for the other spies to scamper through.

To her surprise, the other Warframe and Operator didn’t simply blast ahead of them, knock over soldiers as they make their escape. Of course not; she still wants that data.

“You guys coming or what?”

Hush grabs Max by the arm and drags her forward, Trouvaille scurrying along beside them. As they ran, more spores were spread, more Crewmen literally corroded away before Max’s eyes.

She shudders to herself. She was used to seeing and causing death, but it didn’t mean she was okay with it. And certainly not when it was this... gruesome.

“So, now that we’re here,” the Saryn Prime skids to a stop in an open room where Crewmen haven’t gathered yet. “Data? Now? Please? Pretty please?”

“Uh--” Maxis answers for the first time, before Hush picks her up bodily and runs.

“No worries, cutie, I’m sure we’ll meet again! You better hope I’m still in a good mood when we do!”

Don’t think about it, don’t think about it, don’t think about it, don’t think about how she called you ‘cutie’ and ‘sweetheart’ and complimented you on being ‘courageous’.

“I see it’s gone loud in there.” Zus unamused voice remarks over the comm link. “Did it not go so well?”

“There, ah, there was,” Max stutters out as she’s jostled, “there was another Tenno in there. In the vault.”

“Did you get the data?”

“Yeah, that’s intact.”

“Perfect. Get back out here and we’ll pick you all up and head back.”

Oh, you’re in for it, one way or another, Maxis.

#™#tm #maxis #tinleah #some writin

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neganandblake · 5 years

Text

I think I liked you better when you didn’t have a knife in your hand, Peaches... Chapter 199 - The Ghost

When Blake finds herself sold out to the Saviours by her abusive fiancé, she realises that she’s certainly not on her own anymore and finds an unlikely friend in Negan. And Negan does NOT like men who beat their girlfriends, one tiny bit….

(Masterlist can be found on my page.)

Chapter 199 - The Ghost

[Negan is still mad about the fact that Nick is sniffing around Blake at every chance he gets, and we all know that petty Negan is never a good thing. But when Blake takes a walk down to the kitchens, something she sees there is about to bring back some memories she wished had stayed buried...

——————

The wind and the sleet had arrived soon after Negan had left the garden that afternoon.

It couldn't even be called a storm, but even so, each and every one of the Sanctuary windows seemed to rattle and shake, causing each resident to give an involuntary shiver every time they heard the wind battering against the window panes.

The last run was due to arrive back later that night, but in the meantime, Negan had put a stop to anyone else leaving with the weather as it was.

As much as people presumed he was a hard-ass, he wasn't about to risk any of his best men out there in conditions like that.

It was late evening now, and Negan was still in a foul mood since his run in with Blake and Nick earlier today.

He had relegated himself to the rec room for the afternoon, lazing across the large sofas and smoking away half a pack of cigarettes he had stashed away for an occasion such as this, daydreaming about what it would be like to ring that fucking asshole's Nick's neck.

But as pissed as Negan was, he knew he would have to see Peaches at some point and probably grovel.

Yeah he was fully aware of how much of a prick he'd been. But shit, he wouldn't have had to say any of that shit if Nick hadn't been standing there, a fucking smirk plastered all over his goddamn face.

Oh how Negan wished he could have wiped that smug smile from that mother-fucker's lips, right there, right then.

Negan could hear Blake's soft voice on the other side of the cherry wood by the time he finally reached the door to his and Blake's room up on the third floor.

Knowing he couldn't do anything about the obvious smell of cigarette smoke that clung to him, Negan turned the handle and went inside.

Blake was there of course, perched on the edge of their large bed, as was Mia, the blonde tucking her up beneath the covers snuggly.

Negan knew how much the kid hated any kind of storm, and so Blake had blatantly made the sensible choice of letting her sleep in with them tonight, rather than get woken up by Mia's crying in the early hours from next-door.

Both girls looked up as he entered and closed the door behind himself with small snap.

Blake still looked completely unimpressed, glowering at him over her slender shoulder.

"You decided to quit being an asshole yet?" she asked coolly, turning back to Mia and smoothing the bedcovers down over her middle.

Negan pursed his lips together and moved over to the couch.

"Ass-howl'," Mia repeated with a giggle.

But Blake quickly gave a tut, turning her attention to the little girl.

"No, we don't say that, baby. That's a bad word," she muttered, before glancing back to Negan.

"Bat Mommy gowt to say it," grumbled Mia, folding her chubby arms huffily over her teeny chest.

"Ain't bein' an asshole, Peaches," uttered Negan irritably, removing his jacket in much the same manner and tossing it haphazardly down onto the leather couch.

Was he really being an asshole just for not wanting to watch some other guy lusting over his damn girl?

"An' Daddy say it!" Mia huffed again, sounding annoyed at the injustice of it all.

"Could've fooled me," Blake snapped, shaking her head and scowling at him. "So, what? You got a problem with me being down in the garden's now is that it? Don't think I'm doing a good enough job down there or something?"

The blonde woman sounded hurt, her green eyes searching his face for any hint to what he had meant by his earlier outburst down in the lots outside.

A wave of guilt, at this, hit Negan hard.

Shit, he had never fucking wanted to make Blake feel this way. But this was all because of that asshole Nick.

Negan was sick to the goddamn back teeth of him sniffing around Blake any chance he got.

"Well it ain't like you haven't got enough help down there, is it, Peaches?" Negan bit, turning away from her and pulling off his boots one by one, dumping them on the floor next to the sofa before making for the bathroom.

But behind him he heard Blake get to her feet and follow him.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked sounding angry now.

But fuck, so was Negan. Pissed that that fucking prick had caused a goddamn rift between them. (Although he tried to dismiss the nagging feeling that it was actually Negan himself causing this fucking rift.)

"You know what it means, Darlin'," said Negan in a meaningful voice as he entered through the bathroom, flicking on the light, as he heard Blake close behind him.

He wasnt in the mood for any of this shit, wanting nothing but a shower and to sleep, maybe forgetting, for just a night anway, that this Nick guy, that Peaches seemed to be spending every fucking second of every fucking day with, ever even existed.

Pulling his shirt over his head and tossing it into the wash basket behind them door, he made to grab his towel from the rail, when suddenly Blake circled around, coming to a stop in front of him.

Pressing a hand to his bare chest she stopped him in his tracks.

"No, I don't, Negan," she said firmly, that frown still sat between her brows, but her eyes were now wide and worried looking, searching his face desperately. "Look I don't know what's up with you lately, why you've been checking in on me down in the gardens every five minutes, or why you've been acting like such a child -"

"Well maybe your new fuckin' boyfriend down there will be more fuckin' mature, Darlin'," Negan growled at her, cutting her off mid-sentence. The words spilling from his lips poisonously before he could help himself.

And for a moment Blake stopped, blinking, She closed her mouth slowly and took a step back, her hand dropping suddenly from Negan's chest.

Shit.

Shit shit shit.

Negan's mind was whirring was possibilities now, scenarios that he had no proof of, working their way around his head.

Did she look mad?

Guilty?

Had she been thinking about Nick? Fantasising about him? Wanting him more than she had ever wanted a rough old dog like Negan?

It was a long second now before Blake took a second step backwards, the frown on her forehead deepening.

"You mean…...wait..." she uttered with a frown, looking a little disbelieving now. "...are you talking about Nick?!"

Negan took a moment to reply, merely giving a seemingly un-caring sniff.

"Well the prick's been tailin' you around for the last two fuckin' weeks like some kinda love-sick puppy, Peaches. What the fuck else am I suposed to think?" Negan said, feeling his hackles raise at just the mention of the guy.

But Blake seemed to waver for a second, before a bemused sort of expression slowly began to dance its way across her features.

"Negan, YOU tail me around like a lovesick puppy," she said sounding slightly exasperated, but far more calm than she had a few brief moments ago.

But Negan wasn't taking that. This wasn't the same. This guy was new to the scene.

And besides Negan had seen it first hand. The flirting, the laughing…

"Sweetheart, it's obvious the goddamn guy has got a thing for you!" Negan uttered bitterly.

But at his words, this time, Blake was still for a long second or two, before, to Negan's surprise, her lips twitched once, then twice, and a sudden laugh escaped her lips before she could stop it.

She bit down on her lip to stop herself from giggling further.

But this only seemed to anger Negan more. Shit, did she really think all this was fucking funny?

But he barely had a second to dwell on this, as Blake lowered her eyes taking a step into the dark-haired man, her hand making for his shoulder.

"Errr, baby..." Blake murmured in a sympathetic sounding voice, giving his shoulder a gentle pat. "...I have a feeling YOU might be more Nick's type."

Negan blinked.

What?

"He's gay, Negan," Blake said with a slow nod, her eyes meeting with his, as though she wanted to make sure explicitly he understod what she was saying.

"He's-"

"Gay, yeah," Blake repeated, giving his shoulder a squeeze before dropping her hand and sauntering over to the bathroom mirror above the sink to peer at her reflection. "Definitely not interested in me."

Negan was silent for a long moment before he lifted a hand, running it through his hair as his dark eyes widened.

"Well...shit…" he managed to murmur out, feeling all of a sudden very, very fucking stupid.

"Yeah, shit," Blake said pursing her lips and staring back at him over her shoulder. "So next time you go getting jealous, you may want to get your facts straight first."

Negan could have kicked himself.

Fuck, he'd been such fucking idiot.

"Peaches, I'm fuckin' sorry, I-" he began, knowing it was better to start grovelling sooner rather than later.

But Blake merely turned back to him, smirking now.

"Nu-uh," she said in a vixen-like voice, strutting past him and bumping her hip payfully against his bony one as she went. "You can make it up to me later, asshole."

She shot him a suggestive look glancing up and down his body over her shoulder, before biting her lip and giving a small laughing shake of her head and disappearing back into the bedroom.

Negan gave a sigh. Shit, he really was fuckin' lucky to have a gal like her.

Still ruffling his dark hair, he wandered back into the bedroom, to see the blonde tucking a a whining Mia back into bed.

"Noh, I wan' milk," whined the toddler wriggling and twisting beneath the bed-clothes. "I thursty!"

Blake gave a sigh and got to her feet.

"Alright I'll get you some milk, baby," she said softly, turning to slip on her sneakers.

"I'll go, Darlin'," Negan offered.

But Blake merely smiled up at him. "It's fine, I'll be back in five," she said making for the door. "You can take care of that."

And with that, Blake cocked a thumb over her shoulder to where Mia was currently clambering out of bed, whinging as she did so. Obviously in a mood for terrorising her two parents tonight.

Negan gave a loud, tired groan, as a smirking Blake headed off out of the room, closing the door behind her with a gentle snap.

------------------------------------

The Sanctuary felt like an ice box as Blake walked down the drafty corridor heading toward the kitchens.

She rubbed at her arms as she went, cursing herself for not putting on an extra layer on top of her black sweater.

The walk didn't take long, down to the first floor, where she noticed it was far more drafty due to the large doors at the far end of the docking yard being left wide open.

That would only mean one thing of course, that the Simon, Gavin and a few of the others were now back from their run, safe from the storm.

And as Blake turned the corner she saw now that they were not alone, with Simon standing there addressing a small group of seven or eight people she had never seen before.

"...now you follow the rules and you'll find that we can all be very accommodating here…" she heard Simon utter, causing Blake to bristle slightly at the sound of his voice. Even know although she had forgiven as much as she could, it is hard to forget what the mustachioed man had tried to do all those weeks ago.

But shaking these thoughts from her head, she walked up to where to small group stood, nodding to Gavin, who was stood at the back of the pack, as she passed by.

Part of her felt proud, as this was obviously another group that the Saviours had picked up on the road and had taken in, under the promise that they follow the rules and do things Negan's way.

The Sanctuary was certainly big enough for more people and Blake now hoped that by next year, if her plans to expand the gardens went well, then there would be more than enough food to go around threefold.

But as always, the people in the small group, as she passed them, all looked frightened and mistable, huddled together, seeming nervous of coming here to the intimidating factory building for the first time.

But as Blake walked by, she didn't even notice one of the men from the small crowd step forward, his eyes widening suddenly as he looked at her.

"Blake?"

Blake stopped suddenly in her tracks...her blood running cold.

That voice.

No.

But it couldn't be. It just couldn't…

Blake's heart began to thud in her chest, her stomach twisting into knots and her breathing becoming shallow, as Simon faltered in his speech, the entire room falling eerily silent.

It couldn't be him.

He was a ghost.

A memory.

This wasn't possible.

Swallowing hard, it felt like an eternity before, on shaking legs, Blake managed to turn herself around, her wide eyes full of horror as her gaze settled upon a person she had never thought she'd see again. Not the ghost, but another now...oh so familiar.

Tall…

...blonde…

...with piercing blue eyes that reminded so much of someone else's…

Eyes she had stared at while cold fingers had been clenched around her throat, choking the life from her.

Blake stopped, her chest rising and falling hard now, as the man stepped forwards out of the untidy group, taking one step, then another…

And before Blake could even move, he had launched himself at her, tugging her to him in a tight hug.

"Blakey, I-I never thought I'd see you again," he breathed into her ear, that voice- so familiar, sending a cold shiver through her entire body.

The man pulled back from her and stared into her eyes, shaking his head in a look of pure, happy disbelief that she was here.

"W-Where's David? He here with you?" said the man Blake had known for a very long time.

A man she had spent night's out with. A man who she had had over to her apartment on game days. A man who she had spent time with at family occasions.

A man who looked eerily familiar to the man that had abused her, for so very long.

Brandon.

David's brother.

------------------------------------

#negan #negan twd #Jeffrey Dean Morgan #The Walking Dead #twd #the walking dead fic #negan fic #jdm #negan oc #negan and blake #negan otp #negan fanfiction

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evien-stark · 4 years

Text

✧I Need You✧ Chapter 50

Things were fuzzy for far too long. The second Tony had let go of you and left to go retrieve Loki from whoever had taken him, you stumbled back to sit on the bench. Steve had asked you something- probably as much as Tony had in the way of you being alright, but once you waved him off, he left next. There was no imagining what damage they were doing to the world below, and not enough in you to start trying. Loki was away from you now, which gave you enough room to breath. To pause.

To think.

This really was far beyond you. Never in your life had you ever had someone attack you that way. Something that deep. So personal. Technically… that’s what you did to people all the time, though not quite as aggressively. It triggered a migraine that had long since become familiar to you, although you hadn’t had one of this caliber in quite some time.

“You gonna be alright? What happened?” You barely caught Nat asking you this, and if she was focused on you, it meant whatever was going on down below wasn’t necessary to pay attention to. Then again, Iron Man and Captain America had left together. They probably had it more than handled.

“I tried to look into him. He looked back.” Hand to your head, you pressed your face to the cool metal of the jet’s wall, burning up.

“Seems like he did a little more than looking.” Fragile as you were, her uneasiness tore through you, no defenses to stop it. “You didn’t answer me.”

“I’ll be fine.” Accidentally curt with her. “-thank you. I’ll be okay… I can continue.” The last thing you wanted right now was for her to put in some word about you going weak and have them toss you from the mission. Even though really what you did want was to never be near Loki again.

But that just wasn’t how this was going to work. Now you thought you understood. That was probably the exact reason you were here. You couldn’t bail on it now. You just had to do better. Whatever it took.

------------------

Too much time passed before Tony and Steve reentered the jet with Loki in tow- and another face- the man who had stolen him for that short period. Thor you recognized, from his file and videos. The brother. It made sense, you supposed, that he’d be here to try and stop Loki. It was probably a very bad look for his brother to be out murdering people on a planet that didn’t belong to them.

But then again, what did you really know about gods and aliens? About Thor and Loki?

Tony stood firm beside you while the jet moved into motion again. As you looked up, you caught Thor frowning at you. “Has he hurt you?”

All you could do was offer a weak smile. “I’ve had worse.”

“I am sorry for the trouble he’s caused.”

Behind him, Loki was rolling his eyes with a click of his tongue against his teeth. It was probably better to make peace with Thor, he seemed more sensible. And kind. “Hold your apologies until the whole thing is over. You might not know what you’re apologizing for just yet.”

He smiled at you. “Wise words, perhaps.”

Tony leaned a little closer to you, waiting until Thor turned the other way to start speaking with Steve. Then, quietly, “You cozying up with the Wonder Twins already?”

“One of them, at least.”

He made a face, pretty displeased about your continual disposition to try and make friends with the people you had to work with. But his expression softened as he put a hand to your forehead. “You okay? What did he do?”

Now the second time you had to answer, “I wasn’t ready for him. Next time I will be.”

“There doesn’t have to be a next time.”

You let a silence sit, considering this. But, in the end you knew that probably wasn’t true. Still, “We’ll see.”

------------------

It was freshly night in the timezone the SHIELD helicarrier was sitting over, making your haziness even worse. The precise reason why, after docking and after agents came to haul Loki away, you requested a shower. Something Fury directed a very annoyed look at you over. “We’re not running a hotel.”

“Come on. Giant airship doesn’t have personal rooms? Not even for the top dogs? Should have asked me to look over the blueprints.” Tony crossed his arms.

“Who told you you were top dogs? They lied to you. You’re not running the show.” Fury turned his back on the entire team, following in Loki’s wake. Probably smart, to not be away from the man causing so much trouble for too long. Where they were going to keep him…? Good question.

A dark haired woman turned to you. “We bunked you and Mr. Stark together. If you take the elevator down two levels, it’s the third room on the right hand side.”

Grateful immediately, “Oh. Thank you, agent…?”

Her smile was a brief flash before she simply nodded. “Hill.” Then she, too, took off.

Even though you moved to go, Tony put a hand to your side quietly, letting the others turn and following the agent train going on. Once out of earshot he looked at you. “Are you okay to go by yourself?”

“I’m fine.” You were getting progressively better the more time passed, but you already knew the reason he was asking that. “Don’t make it too obvious.” Leaning up, you gave him a small kiss on the cheek.

The last person waiting cleared his throat. The two of you looked at Couslon. “Take any longer and we’ll seal you outside on the deck and start moving again.”

“We’re coming.” You called to him with a half smile.

“Always so cheery, isn’t he?” Tony looked after him as he left the two of you alone outside.

Giving him a small pat, “Go easy on him. We have a world destroying demi-god in custody and… I think he’s having a tough time with his girlfriend right now.” He barely ever talked about it, but it was clear his secret agent life was kind of interfering with any semblance of a love life. You understood him deeply.

Tony gaped. “Girlfriend? Well in that case I better hurry up and give him some much needed advice.”

“Be good.” You warned him. He just grinned. “When aren’t I?”

With the rest of them busy on the bridge, you excused yourself two floors below and into the room Agent Hill had directed you to. It wasn’t anything fancy, that was for sure, but then again, Fury was right. He wasn’t running a hotel. It was just enough to sleep in if need be. A small room with a bed and some side tables, and a bathroom through the door to the left. The sparseness of it all left you surprised that they’d have a robe hanging on the door hook- even if it was of the extremely scratchy variety. As were the towels.

But the water was fresh and hot, and that’s really all you needed. Enough to soothe your muscles and calm your mind for just a little while. You knew you couldn’t stay in there, much as you would have liked to for the next few hours. You took about as much time as you thought you could afford before stepping out, drying off just a little and then putting on that robe-

Just in time to be interrupted by the door opening. You assumed it would be Tony, coming to check in on you, so your startle at seeing someone else there took a minute to start up. When it did, a delayed noise came from you and you turned, even though you were fully shielded.

His hands went up, “Oh! I’m sorry- I’m sorry- I thought this was my room- I was pretty sure...”

“It probably is.” You offered, completely embarrassed. “I wasn’t really paying attention when I came down here. I’m sorry.” Turning you looked at him, a few seconds enough to match his face to what you knew. Bruce Banner. The Hulk. Well. Some of the time. According to his file, he hadn’t actually had an incident as they called it, in quite some time.

Not sparing a moment longer, he closed the door. “Don’t worry about it. And you can keep the robe.”

Once you were sure he was behind that completely closed door, you quickly started drying off and then getting back into the clothes you’d came in. Not the funnest of adventures, but oh well. “Is it yours?” Not knowing if he was still there or not.

Yet for one reason or another you delighted in the fact that, for whatever reason, he was still hanging around. “Me? No. I packed light. Must be a uh… standard gift.”

“I’d have preferred a gift basket full of meat or something.” All zipped up and back in your shoes, you folded the robe and towel and left them on the counter. Exiting, you smiled as he looked up. “It’s good to meet you, Bruce-”

“Despite the circumstances?” He was grinning lightly, hands wringing gently together.

“Which ones?” You teased.

Nodding, “Fair enough. Actually I uh… I think I wanted to talk to you. Do you mind?” When you shook your head he turned towards the front door. “Wanna take the long way back up to the lab?”

“Oh, they have a lab? I bet you and Tony are getting up to all sorts of fun.” Agreeing both out of necessity and curiosity to his request, stepping aside him to walk aside him in the hall.

He chuckled softly with a shake of his head. “Not yet. Soon, I imagine. But at least I get why he’s here.” Straight to the point, it seemed, even if you easily sensed he meant nothing by it. At least not malicious. You waited for him to continue. When he did, his tone was a little bit darker. “SHIELD bring you here for me?”

“Not that I know of. I think I’m supposed to be undoing whatever Loki’s doing.” Speaking as honestly as you could. It was probably better to get this out of the way now. He must have been thinking about it for a while.

“Yeah. Except as far as I read, you’re supposed to be some sort of empath, right? Not really in the business of mind control. And on the other hand-”

“That’s what they tell me, anyway.” Joking right now probably wasn’t the best idea. But you couldn’t help but try to relieve at least some tension.

“Sure. So what happened to you? Some sort of experiment gone wrong?” He glanced at you, a lift of his brows.

Shaking your head, you couldn’t help a small smile. “No. I keep getting asked that. No one did this to me. It just kind of… happened. One day I started feeling a little too much.”

You were slightly surprised to catch the sight of his smile where before he’d seemed pretty serious. Considering what he was trying to ascertain, you couldn’t hold it against him. “Maybe you’re just sensitive. They make pills for that.”

At that you couldn’t help a giggle. “Is that all I have to do? Take some pills and all this goes away?”

“Don’t we all wish it were that easy.” You caught him wringing his hands again out of the corner of your eye. “So you don’t think you’re here for me. ...but you know why I’m asking.”

Shrugging, “About as much as you know about me, I’m guessing.”

“Just enough.”

“SHIELD is in the habit of only telling you what they think you need to know. And nothing more.” Something you’d become all too familiar and frustrated with over the course of your dealing with them. At the end of the hall you spied two agents, guns in hand, take a hard look at the two of you. “Seems like everyone’s a bit on edge.”

“Yeah. I do that to people.”

“Could just be Loki.” You gave him a softer smile.

“Wouldn’t that be nice.” Soft sarcasm right back at you. As the agents stepped aside for the two of you so you could get on the lift up, “You don’t seem to share the sentiment.”

“Do I need to?”

This time he grinned. “I don’t think I get to answer that question. I’m pretty involved.”

Finally pinpointing what he was really getting at, “I’m not scared of you. And I’m not here to control you, Bruce. And even if that’s what they wanted me to do… it doesn’t really seem like I need to.”

To this he just crossed his arms and gave a little shrug.

You felt for him. Everyone around must have been walking on tiptoe, avoiding him, watching him. How could anyone live a normal life the way he was? And being around people that should have understood it, they still treated him like a monster.

It made you feel terrible- because that’s what you’d been calling him ever since you’d seen that scant information about what had happened in Harlem. A monster. The other one, Abomination, had been a monster, too. Both altered by the Super Soldier Serum irrevocably. But now you understood it a bit better. While Emil Blonsky had done that to himself, with Ross’ help, ultimate to try and stop Bruce-

Bruce had had that happen to him by accident. With all shadowy help from Ross. You’d seen transcripts. That Bruce hadn’t been properly prepped on what he was working on. Because Ross only wanted his brain. But this was the way SHIELD worked sometimes, too. They told you just enough. Even when that wasn’t enough. And it caused problems.

On top of it all, he’d been handed a file that probably said he was to be closely quartered with someone who manipulated emotions- the one thing that set off the beast lurking inside him. It made all the sense in the world he was trying to get a read on you. What other choice did he have?

Giving him a little nudge, hopefully not playing too friendly, “You seem pretty normal to me.”

This urged a more real laugh out of him, seeming to catch him by surprise. “Okay now I know you’re trying to butter me up.”

“Is it working?”

The doors opened and the two of you looked at one another. He broke first into a smile. “Maybe just a little. Still...” His hands pressed together as you disembarked and turned the corner.

“I’m sure SHIELD did its fair amount of convincing, if they need you. But I’m also sure you wouldn’t be here if you didn’t want to.” If he couldn’t handle it, you meant. Or thought he might not be able to.

“To be fair, I didn’t know we were riding this.”

“You’re not asking me to, but just know that I trust you.”

He nodded, though didn’t seem completely convinced. Outside the lab doors he stopped, turning to look you over. “Doesn’t seem like a lot of that going around.”

“SHIELD isn’t the most trusting type.”

He grew serious very suddenly. “And you and Tony. You are?”

You countered with bright optimism. “With the right people.”

Bruce seemed to be considering the idea- or more likely, you. No doubt many agents were on this ship trying to get in good with him just to be on his good side just in case. But it wasn’t like that. You weren’t frightened of him. He seemed like a decent man who had been given a very shitty hand at life and was trying his best.

That was something you not only respected but something you understood.

As he opened his mouth to perhaps give a final verdict, he was cut short by the lab doors opening, Tony appearing behind them with his hands in his pockets. “Having a little party without me? She does that often, you know.”

“I do not.” Pouting just a little, playfully.

Bruce dropped his head with a light smile and a small chuckle. “I’d hardly call it a party.”

“That’s because I wasn’t invited. Get in here. We’ve got work to do.” Clearly not going anywhere, only having activated the doors just to get you two to stop standing there and join him, he turned around and went back to his work station.

Gesturing, you allowed Bruce to step ahead of you. And while you were right about to join the two of them, heavy footfalls sounded at the end of the hallway and you turned to see a very tall, very beefy man in a red cape coming your way.

Thor.

Tony and Bruce looked quietly as he approached you. You stood your ground but gave him a light smile, one he didn’t return immediately as he spoke. “I have been told that Loki assaulted you.”

Opening up your body language, your hands dipped into your back pockets. “To be fair, I think I technically assaulted him first.” Not that Loki deserved fairness right now, but… well. They were brothers. While you got a good sense about Thor, that may not have meant much.

Sometimes family was stronger than good sense.

“Retaliation, then.” He surprised you with a grin. “Regardless, I must apologize for his behavior.”

Your brows lifted. “If that’s the way you feel, you’re gonna be doing a lot of apologizing.”

His smile just as quickly vanished. “Yes, it would seem that way.”

“My point being, his sins are not yours. Even if you are brothers.”

Thor seemed not to know which expression to pick next. He hovered somewhere between softly disappointed and… a thrum of fondness he hid from everyone else. But couldn’t, from you. “While that may be the case, I am the reason he’s here. Whatever actions he inflicts upon others due to this… I must bear them as my own.”

Yes. For sure Thor was a much more stable and far better man than Loki was. But there was also something about Loki… about your encounter with him… while it wasn’t smart right now to go back and see him, especially not alone- ...you had some thoughts you needed to check out.

For now, you gave Thor yet another gentle smile. “He’s the reason he’s here, Thor. Just because he’s throwing some sort of murder-rage tantrum because he’s mad at you doesn’t make it your fault. But we’ll be the reason he stops.”

Like another flash in the pan, seeming to enjoy your sentiment, he reached out to put a hand on your shoulder, joined with a bright smile. “You are wise, Lady… Lady. ...is that what I should call you?”

He did have that old-timey affect to him. Lady in this instance was probably just the proper way of addressing a woman where he came from. Which made it especially hilarious that your Avenger name had now fully become one and the same. Tony raised a hand from behind his work desk, “Uh, I have a suggestion.”

“No you don’t.” You quickly cut him off. “Just the one Lady is fine.”

His hand came down on your shoulder, perhaps a little harder than he meant it to, but you bore his weight with a steady stance. “Lady it is. Thank you for your kind words, Lady.”

“You’re welcome, Thor. Any time.”

The two of you shared a nod and one last light expression and then he continued on his way. Brief meeting over, you finally stepped into the lab, the doors whooshing shut behind you. Bruce had his head down, working on the table top keyboard. “You have a way with words. He’s been sulking since we got on board.”

Tony huffed out a laugh. “Doesn’t she just? Do I have to worry you’re about to disappear over the rainbow?”

Coming to stand next to him, you couldn’t resist a little laugh. “No. I mean, come on. Look at our circumstances. I’d be way out of my league walking around gods like those.” Tiredness seeping back in, or maybe it was the familiar draw of his comfort, you leaned your head around him.

While he poked and prodded and worked his way through something on a hologram monitor in front of him with one hand, his other arm came around you, giving you a light squeeze. “What a pitch. No I won’t leave you because he’s out of my league. Love everything about it.”

“Am I witnessing some dysfunction? Should I leave?” Bruce looked up, although it was clear he was joking with the grin he was wearing.

You grinned back. “No, stay. I’ll need a witness.”

“Or a ringer. You’d back her, right? I’d be in a lot of trouble.” Tony shared in the mutual grin and warmness going around the room.

Joking easily about what was making the other agents ostracize him. “Oh, please. I can handle you by myself.” A small pause for thought that ended in, “Besides, he’s lying. He thinks he could take you.”

Bruce was practically toothy, the smile he was wearing, head still down. Tony shrugged. “Well. As long as you’re saying it. I mean I’d love to see. Can we set up a playdate?”

“Let’s just get through this first. And if we’re all alive after…?” Bruce mirrored the easygoing shrug.

You tutted with a sigh. “Oh, you shouldn’t have done that. He’s going to hold you to it.”

Despite himself and his apprehensions, other people’s apprehensions, here in this little lab on the helicarrier, Bruce laughed. Although it was with a shake of his head, you felt the small slip of a wall. Letting down where he felt he was being treated like an equal. Like a person. Not just a bomb.

You might not have been able to figure out the thing with Loki- not right now anyway-, and this was surely going to spell out a hell of a lot of trouble for your personal life, but… maybe being an Avenger on this little team wasn’t so bad after all.

#Tony Stark #Tony Stark x Reader #INY Chapter Fifty

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smilingformoney · 4 years

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America’s Most Eligible 3 Diamond Scene: Show Your Friends a Good Time

You: Let’s round up our crew. You gather your friends and raid the mansion’s kitchen before charging upstairs to the balcony! You close the sliding door behind you as your wedding party makes drinks and ravages the snacks. With so many bodies in the confined space, Eden nearly spills her drink. Eden: If ten weeks in the AME mansion didn’t bring us together, one afternoon out here sure will. This balcony is… cozy. You: Now that you mention it, the mansion’s a lot smaller when no one’s getting eliminated every week… Best Man: Oh, we know. Thanks to the lack of privacy, I’d say we’ve gotten to know each other pretty intimately. You: In that case, I think it’s time we play an AME All-Stars favourite! Bianca: Pleeease say Truth, Dare, Drink, or Strip. Adam said we missed the last game, and I still haven’t had a turn. Han: Uh, some of us weren’t on the All-Stars season… Kiana: And thanks to Carson’s poor planning, I missed the team bonding. You: Then I guess the first round is just for the newbies. Slater, Eden, Bianca, you guys can jump in too. Fiancée: Usually, you’d choose between telling the truth, doing a dare, taking a drink or baring it all, but I think we can start off slow with just a group dare. Best Man: I say we officially welcome the newbies to the pack by daring them to howl like wolves. Maid of Honour: Or, we can dare them to speak in Pig Latin for the rest of the night. Officiant: Why don’t we let Jamie decide?

You: I want them… -To howl at the moon!

Eden: It’s the middle of the day! You: It’s sunset somewhere. Eden, Slater, Bianca, Han and Kiana gather at the balcony’s edge. With nervous looks at each other, Han starts off. Han: Awooooo! Bianca: Awooooo! Slater: Awooooo! Their baying echoes through the neighbourhood… until other dogs begin to howl back! Nearby, a jogger looks for the source.

-Tongue-tied!

Han: How do you even speak Pig Latin? You: You just drop the first letter of a word and add it back to the end with -ay. Kiana: Ike-lay is-thay! Eden: Ut-bay is-that… say… lay… Eden: I speak three languages, and this is easily the hardest. Slater: The only language I know is English, and even that’s fifty-fifty.

You and your fiancée explode with laughter, and your best man and your maid of honour grip their sides. Your officiant shakes with silent joy. Slater: Laugh it up. Revenge is a dish best served cold. Kiana: And in the spirit of the game, I think it’s your turn, Jamie. You: Do your worst. Han: Careful what you ask for. I have a dare that’ll send you running for the outfield. Eden: When my sorority sisters play this, I always get some pretty juicy dirt from girls who pick truth. Bianca/Slater: I think Jamie should strip down and give the neighbours a sneak peek! Kiana: Or we’ll let you off the hook, and you can drink this beer instead. Slater: At least make them shotgun it. Fiancée: Pick your poison, Jamie. Truth, dare, drink, or strip! You: Hmm…

What do you do? -Shotgun the beer!

You: I think I’ll just drink. Kiana: With those options, I don’t blame you. You take a can from Kiana, carefully feel around for the pocket of air, and puncture a hole in the aluminium. Slater: Chug, chug, chug! You: Bottoms up.

You: … -Chug! -No action

The pressure sends the beer rushing down your throat!

You: … -Chug! -Choke! -No action

The can lightens as it empties… You’re almost there!

You: … -Choke! -Cough! -Chug! -No action

You guzzle the frothy ale from the hole in the side, gulping it down and leaving the can empty in seconds! You: Ladies and gentlemen, may I present… YOUR SHOTGUN CHAMP!

-Do a dare!

You: What’d you have in mind, Han? Han: Ronan and Yvette are always talking about the ‘good old days’ of AME, but I think we should show them the good new days are here to stay! Han: So I dare you to jump off the roof of the mansion into the pool! You: Are you crazy? Derek: Ronan’s the only one who’s ever done that… and there was a rumour that he was on peyote when he did! Adam: You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, Jamie. You: A dare’s a dare… To the roof!

You all climb the stairs to the rooftop before pushing open the heavy metal door and coming to stand at the ledge. You: You mean to tell me that wise, sensible Ronan jumped from here? Derek: No, but wild, reckless Ronan did. Mackenzie: I’m guessing wisdom found him on the way down. Han: Ball’s in your court, Jamie. What’s it gonna be? You peer over the railing, taking in the steep drop and the distance to the pool… You: You can’t be old and experienced without being young and stupid first. Quickly, you strip down to your underwear, hand your clothes to Adam, and climb over the railing. You: Incoming! You leap from the roof, the rushing air deafening as you leave the ground behind. The world spins wildly around you, and you tuck your chin into your knees…

Until you hit the water with a loud splash! You resurface to the cheers of your wedding party and sprint back up to the balcony before Wrenn or Omar can see you.

-Moon the neighbours!

You: I guess it’s time to show the neighbourhood my best side. Slater: Why don’t you show off your assets to… him? Slater points out a target, and you peer over the ledge to see a man skulking around the mansion’s perimeter. Stranger: … Slater: Time to turn the other cheek. You: Here goes nothing… You hesitate for just a moment before calling down to him… You: Take cover! It’s raining cracks and dogs! Stranger: Huh? …And whipping your clothes aside to bare your backside in his direction! The balcony explodes with laughter, and you quickly yank your outfit back into place.

-Confess the truth!

You: Let’s see how far you can dig, Eden. Truth. A mischievous smile crosses her face, and she quickly scans the group. Eden: Out of everyone on your team… who would you choose to dump, bang, and marry? You: Well, marry is easy— Fiancée: I sure hope so. You: But the other two are tricky. You glance around the balcony to see nine sets of expectant eyes looking back at you. You turn back to your fiancée. You: I’d marry and bang my fiancée, and then dump them so I could do it all over again. Fiancée: Thanks… I think. Eden: How very diplomatic of you.

Best Man: Nicely done, Jamie. You: Thanks, but that doesn’t get you off the hook. If my math’s right, a few of you still haven’t had a turn. Fiancée: Take your best shot. We can handle whatever you throw at us. Maid of Honour: And to prove it, why don’t you do the honours and tell us who’s next? You: Alright then…

Who do you pick? -Your maid of honour!

You: I pick you, Jen/Mackenize. Truth, dare, drink, or strip?

-If Jen is your maid of honour Jen: Something tells me I might regret this, but… dare.

-If Mackenzie is your maid of honour Mackenzie: You know me better than that, Jamie. Dare.

You grab a bag of marshmallows from the snack pile and hold them out to her. You: You’ve got ten second to stuff all of these in your mouth, or… You: You’ll have to confess your undying love for Omar on set! Maid of Honour: What?! Fiancée: Starting.. now! Your maid of honour rips open the bag and shoves marshmallows in by the fistful! Kiana: Look at her go! Han: I’m not sure whether she likes marshmallows… or just really doesn’t like Omar. You: 3… 2… 1… Stop! You reach for the bag to reveal… One remaining marshmallow! Your maid of honour’s eyes widen nearly as much as her cheeks. Fiancée: Looks like we might have to make this a double wedding.

-Your best man!

You: Looks like you’re up, Adam/Derek. Truth, dare, drink, or strip? Best Man: Knowing you guys, a drink is probably my best best. He grabs a nearby bottle of champagne and turns it bottom up, gulping down the bubbly liquid… Eden: … Bianca: … Han: … Until the pressure inside the bottle builds, gushing a stream of froth all over him! He shoots up, swiping at his clothes. Best Man: Whoa! Best Man: …Still better than one of Jamie’s dares.

-Your officiant!

You: Looks like you’re up, Officiant. Truth, dare, drink, or strip? Officiant: If I’m gonna play, I might as well go for it. Dare. You: I dare you to practice officiating… using my maid of honour and my best man as stand-ins. Maid of Honour: Hey, I thought this was your officiant’s dare? Officiant: Don’t worry. I’ve got an idea. The three stand up, and your wedding party circles around them as your best man takes your maid of honour’s hands. Officiant: Do you, Adam/Derek take Jen/Mackenzie to legally be your bestie? To have on your worst days and to hold on hers? Until the end of time? Best Man: I do. Officiant: Jen/Mackenzie? Maid of Honour: Absolutely. Officiant: Then I hereby pronounce you BFFs. You can hug it out to signify your bromance. Your officiant bows, and your maid of honour gives your best man a squeeze before throwing an imaginary bouquet to your friends.

-Your fiancée!

You: Looks like you’re up, Fiancée. Truth, dare, drink, or strip? Fiancée: How about… truth? You: Playing it safe? Fiancée: With you in charge of the questions, there’s no such thing. What do you wanna know, Jamie? You take a moment to think, before looking your fiancée right in the eye. You: Why do you want to marry me? Your fiancée smiles and takes your hands, never once breaking eye contact. Fiancée: Before I met you, I felt like I’d been looking for something without knowing what it was or what it looked like. Fiancée: But when I laid eyes on you, I realised the search was over. I felt at home. At peace. I want to marry you, because… Fiancée: You’re what I’ve been missing my whole life. And after knowing how this feels, I can’t go back to the way I was before. You: Fiancée… You press your foreheads together, their mouth inches from yours… Han: Get a room! …Before remembering you’re surrounded by your friends! The group cheers as the two of you blush and separate.

-Bianca/Slater!

You: Why don’t you go, Bianca/Slater? Truth, dare, drink, or strip?

-If you kissed Bianca Bianca: A body like mine is too hot to keep under wraps. I’ll strip...

-If you kissed Slater Slater: I know you guys are too shy to ask, so I’ll give you what you’ve been wishing for. I’ll strip…

Bianca/Slater: But can I at least get some music? You make eye contact with your best man across the balcony, and together the two of you start singing the AME theme song! Soon, the others join in. Bianca/Slater: You’ve gotta be kidding me. Kiana: Come on, Bianca/Slater. Shake it! With a roll of the eyes, Bianca/Slater begins to wiggle and gyrate, dropping articles of clothing with every twist and turn before finishing with a flourish. Bianca/Slater: You’re welcome.

You wait for the cheers to settle down before grabbing a drink from the beverage pile and holding it high. You: I’d like to make a toast. All eyes land on you, and you look around at your friends, your eyes watering as you think back on all that you’ve been through together… You: When we started this special, my fiancée and I knew we were in for a wild ride, but we had no idea it would be this much fun— Slater: Wait, wait, wait… You’re not gonna cry are you? You: Well, I— Slater: Come on, Jamie. Enough with the sad sack, sappy toasts. Give us something fun to go out on! Slater grabs a handful of chips and hops to his feet, flinging crumbs all over Bianca, who flips him off, irritated. He raises a chip. Slater: You all know I was the ‘villain’… but what you don’t know is that I loved every second. Slater: So, here’s to doing bad, looking good, and never getting those two mixed up! He bites down with a satisfied crunch, unleashing more crumbs, and Bianca bolts to her feet, her champagne in the air. Bianca: To being the most fabulous dresser in the house. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. Eden: In that case, to age before beauty. You: Alright, alright. I think I get the point.

You: Here’s to… -Team Jamie-Fiancée! +50

You: I can’t imagine having a more passionate, loving, and supportive team... You: Actually, I can, but I prefer you guys.

-Strangers that became family! +50

You: Now if only that worked in reverse.

-Memories we’ll never forget! +50

You: May the paparazzi pay us well for ‘em.

Your wedding party laughs before each chiming in with a more outrageous toast than the last until Jen’s walkie talkie chirps from its perch on the table. Suddenly, you all fall silent. Wrenn: The crow is in the nest. I repeat, the crow is in the nest. We’re go for filming. Jen: That’s our cue. Are you ready, Jamie? You: I guess it’s now or never… You look your fiancée in the eye, your heart threatening to beat out of your chest. You: Let’s go win a wedding.

You and your wedding party saunter back out onto the patio to find a scowling Vince. Vince: And just where have you been?

-If you dared your maid of honour

You: That’s for us to know and you to wonder. Right now, I think my maid of honour has something to say to Omar. Your maid of honour shoots you a look but turns to face him. The crew stops what they’re doing to stare. Maid of Honour: Omar, I can’t hide it anymore. I’ve been in love with you since I first laid eyes on your handsome face. Omar: Jen/Mackenzie, I… I don’t… He looks up to find your wedding party red faced from holding in their laughter. You catch his gaze and break, your grin betraying the joke. Omar: Ha. Ha. Everybody get back to work.

-If you dared anyone else

Kiana: Doesn’t feel good when the shoe’s on the other foot, huh?

#playchoices #choices stories you play #choices ame #choices america's most eligible #america's most eligible

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softly-mossy · 5 years

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owowowowo max comes across tin for the first time. have mercy on my soul