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zadrkinkmeme23 · 3 months

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Full 2023 ZADR Kinkmeme Fill Masterlist

We received 22 fills in total for the 2023 Kinkmeme, which are all listed beneath the cut. If you haven't read them already, we'd greatly appreciate if you'd leave kudos or perhaps even a comment on these wonderful fics! Doing so greatly helps our event to thrive.

Please remember that all characters in these NSFW fics are depicted as 18+.

'You, And Me, and Keef.' - After finding out that Zim has asked Keef of all people out on a date, Dib decides to tail them in order to figure out just what Zim's diabolical scheme is.

AKA - Dib's jealous, and has a wank about it.

[Tags: Dib/Zim, Keef/Zim, Explicit, No Archive Warnings Apply, Masturbation, Obliviousness, Jealousy, Unrequited Crush, Unresolved Sexual Tension, Awkward Dates, Car Sex, Stalking]

'Post Blue' - "Dib wanted to tell Zim how nothing had felt right since he left, but he couldn't. The words withered in the back of his throat before they could even fully bloom. But he had to do something to let Zim know, something to convey the depths of the maelstrom that threatened to consume him. Swallowing down all of his common sense, he surged forwards, and pressed his lips to his ex-husband’s."

[Tags: Ex Sex, Closet Sex, Drunk Sex, Post Divorce, Ambiguous/Open Ending, Unresolved Emotional Tension]

An Extended Cut of this fic can also be found here

'Only Because I Love You' - by Wipmoy

"Oh no! Zim and Dib have been abducted by alien pornographers, who really want some footage of them fucking. And they can’t leave, or else they explode.

Well, that’d probably suck way worse, if they weren’t already secretly into each other. Zim’s pride cannot be vanquished so easily."

[Tags: Dib/Zim, No Archive Warnings Apply, Dubious Consent, Mildly Dubious Consent, Fuck or Die, Aliens Made Them Do It, Exhibitionism, Praise Kink, Humiliation, Tentacle Dick, Zim Has A Penis And Vagina, Oral Sex, Kissing, Rough Kissing, Unsafe Sex, Swearing]

'Slightly Less Boring' - by Wipmoy

"Turns out, intergalactic space travel isn't that exciting. Dib thinks he can fix that, though."

[Tags: Dib/Zim, No Archive Warnings Apply, Oral Sex, Blowjobs In Car, Blow Jobs, In SPACE!, Road Head, Established Relationship, Choking, Coughing, Flirting, Oral Fixation, Tentacle Dick]

'Trip My Wire' - After getting stood up on one of their scheduled fights, Zim discovers that Dib blew off their plans to go and hang out with some other hideous human instead.

This won't do. This won't do at all.

[Tags - Dib/Zim, No Archive Warnings Apply, Interns & Internships, College AU, Zim is Bad at Feelings, Dib is Bad at Feelings, Frenemies Dib & Zim, Dib is So Done, Jealousy, Stalking, Masturbation, Sexual Awakening, Sloppy Makeouts, Grinding, Coming In Pants, Flirtatious Bullying, Mutual Pining, Enemies to Lovers]

'Let Him Bite Your Fingers' - A tiny alien flew into Dib’s room and now he’s keeping him.

[Tags: Dib/Zim, Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Micro/Macro, Captivity, Eventual Smut, Eye Trauma, Praise Kink, Dubious Consent, Torture, Blood Loss, Forced Orgasm, Stabbing, Object Insertion, Dib Being Creepy, Come Eating, Mild Gore, Intoxication]

'Closer' - A fight between Dib and Zim takes a decidedly more lustful turn, forcing Zim to get creative in order to fully conquer his nemesis.

AKA - Zim uses his own slick as lubricant to fuck Dib.

[Tags: Top Zim, Bottom Dib, Alien Biology, Zim Has a Penis & Vagina, Intersex Zim, Slick As Lube, Anal Sex, Anal Fingering, Teasing, Orgasm Delay/Denial, Edging, Biting, Light Breathplay, Power Play, ZADE]

'Balderdash!' by SlimySlugJuice - Dib and Zim attend a Victorian costume party. Also, they're idiots.

[Tags: Dib/Zim General Audiences, No Archive Warnings Apply, Dib/Zim, Victorian, Costume Parties & Masquerades, Bad Flirting, Aged-Up Characters, No Sexual Content]

'Twisted Transistor' - Frustrated by his inability to catch and expose Zim, Dib makes a poppet doll of his life-long rival. Now, all he has to do it test it.

[Tags: Dib/Zim, Rape/Non-Con, Explicit, Non-Consensual Voyeurism, Non-Consensual Touching, Forced Orgasm, Wet & Messy, Vibrators, Dib makes a spirit doll of Zim uses it for sexual purposes, Masturbation, Starts off non-con but ends consensual, Aged-Up Characters, Dib Being Creepy, Multiple Orgasms, Coming Untouched, Coming In Pants, Orgasm Delay/Denial, Public Humiliation, Public Masturbation, Non-Consensual Oral Sex, Bathing/Washing, Light Bondage, Sensory Deprivation, Cock Rings, Begging, Light Dom/sub]

'Dwarf Star' - by bachmanroad - Dib wasn't cut out for this.

[Tags - Dib/Zim, Teen Audiences & Up, No Archive Warnings Apply, Dib/Zim, Unplanned Pregnancy, Complicated Relationships, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, (That tag is for Dib btw not their unplanned smeet), Aged Up Characters]

'Putting My Foot Down' - SlimySlugJuice

'Zim is forced to dip his toes into uncharted waters.'

[Tags - Dib/Zim Explicit, Rape/Non-Con, Aged-Up Characters, Foot Fetish, Foot Jobs, Mind Control, Power Play, Dib Being Creepy, Spit As Lube, Verbal Humiliation, Come Shot, Come Eating (Implied), Starts off as non-con but Zim gets into it]

'Strict Machine' - Fed up with his lab drone's bratty attitude, Taller Dib sends Zim in for "treatment".

[Tags: Dib/Zim, Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Dubious Consent, Fantastical Hysteria, Alien Cultural Differences, Fucking Machines, Vibrators, Irkens Are Terrible, Medical Kink, Public Humiliation, Light Bondage, Forced Orgasm, Forced Ejaculation, Masturbation, Power Play, Irken Dib, Voyeurism, Exhibitionism]

'Fairground Freak' - Dib is a university student who came to London from the Americas with a not-so-hidden interest in the supernatural and bizarre. He then learns of a new and fascinating creature of unknown origin, and simply must know more.

[Tags: Dib/Zim, Teen Audiences & Up, Dib/Zim, Alternative Universe - Victorian, Carnival, Nonbinary Zim, Victorian Attitudes, PAKless Zim, Drug Addiction, Strip Tease, Dib Being Creepy]

'Diet Stripe' - “You will finish this comically large beverage - yes, all of it - and we will wait. Even once you have reached capacity, you are not allowed to void liquid waste until Zim is touching your sossidgemeet.”

“Can you quit calling my dick that?”

[Tags: Dib/Zim, No Archive Warnings Apply, Mature, Urination, Omorashi, No Sex, Desperation Play, Don't Like Don't Read, Submissive Dib, Aged Up Characters]

'Dib's Game' - After Dib falls asleep in a compromising position, Zim is left trapped in something of a predicament.

[Tags: Dib/Zim, Explicit, No Warnings Apply, Dib/Zim, Fight Sex, Hate Sex, Light Bondage, Handcuffs, Cock Warming, Vaginal Sex, Zim Has A Penis & Vagina, Somnophilia, Technically Consensual Somnophilia but Dib falls asleep by accident, Praise Kink, Affectionate Insults, Subspace, Sleep Sex, Ambiguous Relationship, Whether this is ZADR or ZADE with benefits it up to the reader, Predicament Bondage, Aged-Up Characters, ZADRKinkmeme23fill]

'Straight To Video' - Back on Earth, Dib wouldn’t ever have imagined himself falling into this line of work, but out here, with the opportunity to become anyone and anything he desired, he found it oddly fitting that now he was the one being filmed and spoken of like one of the cryptids he’d spent his whole life chasing back home.

[Tags: Dib/Zim, Explicit, No Warnings Apply, Dib/Zim, Alternate Universe - Different First Meeting, Porn Star AU, Sex Work, Aged-Up Characters, Vaginal Sex, Size Difference, Desk Sex, Plugs, Alien Biology, Zim Has A Penis & Vagina, Older Dib, Xenophiliac Dib, Sexual Roleplay, Porn Video, Porn Tropes, Literally Porn With Plot, In SPACE!, Wet & Messy, Squirting, Now with Dib's traumatic backstory, Oral Sex, Riding, Topping from the Bottom, Come Swallowing]

'What is love?' - “Aliens can't orgasm can they? I can't do anything for you?” Dib asked as Zim crawled onto the couch. He awkwardly shoved his softening cock back into his pants, too tired and lazy to properly clean up. “Considering Irkens have no genitalia, no.” Zim laid his head in Dib’s lap. “Will I ever be able to see whatever 'nothing’ you have down there?” “Maybe one day I’ll deem your puny human eyes worthy.” Dib sighed.

[Tags: Dib/Zim, Explicit, No Archive Warnings Apply, Dib/Zim, Awkward First Times, Alien Cultural Differences, Queer Themes, Aged Up Characters]

'Horny Dib, What Will He Do?' - Dib is drunk on some mysterious off-planet sex pollen, what will he do?

[Tags: Dib/Zim, Explicit, No Warnings Apply, Dib/Zim, Creampie, Sex Pollen, Multiple Orgasms, Multiple Sex Positions, Vaginal Sex, Zim Has A Penis And A Vagina, Mildly Dubious Consent, Smut, Aged-Up Dib]

'Howl' - Irritated by Dib’s recent strange and cagey behaviour, Zim decides to follow him to a strange house in the woods.

Unbeknownst to him, Dib is a werewolf. And unfortunately for them both, it’s rutting season.

[Tags - Dib/Zim, Explicit, Rape/Non-Con, Dib/Zim, Werewolf Dib, Dubious Consent, Werewolf Sex, Accidental Knotting, Knotting, Rutting, Mating Cycles/In Heat, Mating Bites, Mating Bond, Master/Pet, Bottom Zim, Top Dib, No smut in ch1, Eventual Smut]

'The Exchange' - Zim finds a rare supernatural item that Dib is willing to do *anything* to get his hands on.

[Tags: Dib/Zim, Explicit, No Warnings Apply, Dom/Sub, Dom Drop, Top Drop, Unintentional Dom/Sub Dynamic, Top Zim, Bottom Dib, Boot Worship, Spanking, Bondage, Vivisection, Exhibitionism, Masturbation, Anal Sex, Throat Fucking, Zim Is Bad At Feelings, Bless These Idiots, Denial of Feelings, Pre-Relationship, Adult Dib, Adult Zim]

'Makes me wanna take Charles Atlas by the hand' by SlimySlugJuice

'A rather large Zim winds up in Dib's timeline. Naturally, Dib has some questions regarding the anatomy of his musclebound nemesis.'

[Tags: Dib/Zim, Explicit, No Warnings Apply, Aged Up Characters, Alternate Timelines, Non-Canon Compliant, Post-Zimvoid Arc, Size Difference, Muscles, Large Cock, Hand Jobs, Come Shot, Come Eating, Grinding, Praise Kink, Coming In Pants, Post-Coital Cuddling, Some canon-typical grossness]

'Proper Discipline' - All his life, Dib had dreamt of being the one down on his knees. Thanks to The Club, he can finally act out his wildest, naughtiest fantasy.

[Tags: Dib/Zim, Explicit, No Warnings Apply, Irken Dib, Irken Empire, Irkens Are Terrible, Sex Work, Sex Club, Dom/sub, Fantastical Kink, Role Reversal, Power Imbalance, Power Play, Implied Non-con Sex Work, Zim Used To Be A Breeding Drone, Oral Sex, Vaginal Sex, Top Zim, Bottom Dib]

#zadr #zadrkmeme #18+ only #kink meme #prompt meme #fill #masterlist

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isabella-kr · 1 year

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Chapter One: No-Face

THIS STORY WILL INCLUDE MATURE THEMES, PLEASE ONLY READ IF YOU ARE 18 YEARS OLD OR OVER.

IF YOU ARE UNDERAGE, YOU CAN READ THE WATTPAD VERSION INSTEAD AS IT WILL CONTAIN NO SMUT.

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION AND DOES NOT REPRESENT THE REAL ARMY!

Chapter Synopsis: No word could accurately describe how furious John was with the new addition on his team. But perhaps sparring with her - or rather against her - would make him feel better.

Pairing: John Price x Female!Reader (This used to be an original character, and whilst I revised this chapter, I might have missed something; if you see any physical description - aside for her athletic build - please let me know)

Genre: Enemies to lovers / Slow burn

Warnings: Swearing, violence, death, this chapter is pure angst

Word count: 3.3k

Series Masterlist | COD:MWII Masterlist

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

“No!” Price’s voice rang out in his office.

Laswell sent him a look. A look he absolutely despised, because it only meant one thing: it’s already been decided. You can’t refuse.

“I’m not having her on my team, Kate,” he spat, his voice laced with frustration, “she’s a fuckin’ terrorist!”

She huffed, her own patience growing thin, “She’s been locked away for a decade; under constant supervision, and passed every single test she was given. She’s not affiliated with them anymore, John.”

He laughed humourlessly, “And what makes you think she won’t join them the first chance she gets? What makes you so sure she won’t turn on us!”

“Obviously, I can’t guarantee that,” she told him, “But we are taking precautions. John, you were given full authority over what happens to her. If she steps out of line, disregards an order, or as much as look at you the wrong way, you were given permission to take her out. No questions asked.”

She could see the storm that was brewing in his head. His brows were furrowed deeply, just how annoyed – nay, angry – he was at the suggestion. His hands were pressed flat against the wood of his desk, fingers turning white from the tight hold. She could see why everyone was intimidated by his hard gaze. If she was his inferior, his tone and expression would be nerve-racking. But she wasn’t, and so she felt nothing, except perhaps a tinge of sympathy.

“I’m not asking.”

“I know you’re not,” he scoffed, sitting back down on his leather chair, “Why me? And why now?”

Kate let out a soft sigh, “They’re getting sick of her,” was what she told him. “She’s becoming a burden. The constant supervision, basic necessities, shelter; it’s all costing a fortune. It’s either she becomes useful or they get rid of her.”

John would be lying if he said the news shocked him. It wasn’t at all surprising that she was quickly becoming a liability, and so he nodded, “But why me?”

“You’re the only one who came out alive after facing her,” she explained.

“Barely.”

“Yes. Barely, but you did,” she agreed, “You’ve seen how she operated in real life. You’ve seen her move and fight. If anyone’s going to be able to stop her if it comes down to it, it’ll be you.”

He remained quiet, thinking over her words. His lips were pursed in thought, and he scratched his cheek when he took in a deep breath, “You’ve got camera footage. Use it for training.”

“We do,” she told him, “But seeing something on video is different. Besides, she’s been showing a tendency to be… empathetic. Compassionate. Even remorseful.”

“So what?” John frowned, “She’s a human, ‘course she’s gonna show emotion.”

“We showed her a photo of one of the soldiers she’s killed in the past,” Kate told him, her voice suddenly low, “She refused to even look at it. I thought she was going to burst out crying.”

His brows knit together, “Where are you going with this?”

“She almost killed you once, John,” she reminded him.

He laughed, but there was no humour behind it, “You want her to follow me out of guilt?”

“Worth a try,” she shrugged, “I wouldn’t be putting her with you if I didn’t think you could do it.”

“I don’t know, Kate…” he released a soft sigh, worry evident in his creased brows.

Laswell sucked in a breath, “Look, she’s gonna be sent out there whether I like it or not. I’d rather she be with someone I can trust.”

John wet his dry lips, rubbing his palm over his beard as he digested what was being said to him. He had his worries – his fears – and she could see the hesitance in his body language. But it had to be him, she didn’t trust anyone else with her – with this mission.

“You spoke to her?” He eventually asked.

She gave him a small nod, “I used to visit her regularly until three years ago.”

“What happened?” He questioned.

“Work happened,” she told him honestly, “I didn’t have the time to visit her.”

“Anything you need to tell me about her?”

“Most of it is classified-“

“You’re telling me to take her in – join my own team – and won’t tell me anything about her?” He grumbled, reaching for a lighter and placing a cigar between his lips.

She hummed, “I’m the only one she opened up to, and she only did so once she realised she could trust me. I want you to gain her trust, John.”

He shook his head, “I don’t have time for bonding, Kate.”

“I’m not asking you to force it. I’m not asking you to spend endless hours drilling her with questions,” she told him with a frown, “It’ll happen by itself. She’s going to listen to you either way, but it would be beneficial for you two to trust one another.”

His eyes glared into hers, the silvery smoke from his cigar surrounding him like a foggy halo every time he breathed out. He cleared his throat, yet didn’t say anything.

“Just treat her like a person and she’ll warm up to you.”

With another huff, he spoke, “What am I supposed to refer to her as?”

“Well, we still call her No-face,” she told him, which made his face drop, “But she did tell me her ‘real’ name.”

He hummed, urging her to continue.

“It’s ‘Subject A-26’. That’s her name,” she said.

John’s eyes widened for a brief second, “Subject?”

“They didn’t give them real names. This is the only thing I’m telling you, she’ll tell you the rest when she’s ready,” she sent him a small smile.

He sighed, “Sometimes I think you hate me.”

Laswell let out a small laugh, shaking her head at the accusation. A comfortable silence settled between them, only the sound of him puffing out smoke saving the room from being completely quiet.

“So,” he decided to speak again, “When’s she getting here? I need to prepare myself, mentally that is.”

With a small wince, Kate got up from her chair and approached the door. It opened with a loud creak, and he narrowed his eyes when she nodded at someone on the other side.

Treat her like a person. Kate’s words rang out in his head. In theory, it shouldn’t be difficult. John wasn’t a malicious man; he didn’t torment his men. But when he saw her face – when she came into view – indescribable rage took over his very being.

His jaw clenched, and fingers practically squished the cigar that was resting between his fingers. He didn’t intend their first, or rather third, meeting to be so harsh. He didn’t intend to be rude to her, but when he looked into her eyes, he was taken back to that night.

That dreaded night that haunted his nightmares. It was dark, and the mission considered complete when it all went wrong.

It happened fast – too fast for anyone to react. His men fell like rag dolls around him as the sound of bullets flew past them. ‘Get down!’ He remembered his superior yelling right before a bullet was lodged in his throat.

He pulled the man beside him to the ground, hiding behind an old and rusty car. The attack stopped, an eerie silence settling upon them. The blood of his comrades seeped into his cargo pants, painting them a deep red as he sat down on the rocky ground.

He looked at the terrified sergeant beside him – his first mission, he remembered – and placed a finger in front of his mouth in a shushing motion. “Stay down,” he ordered.

The younger man nodded, watching as his lieutenant stood up, peaking his head over the boot of the car. He saw nothing, only the movement of trees as the winds blew past them – the dance made the leaves ruffle, the sound covering up any suspicious sounds in the distance.

He saw the flash too late. The bullet was already flying in his direction by the time he moved down, slashing past his cheek before he got the chance to take cover. His hand pressed tightly against the cut flesh, watching as the crimson red streamed down between his fingers.

The pain disoriented him, and that distraction proved itself crucial that night. He didn’t hear the footsteps approaching him, but neither did the young Sergeant beside him – too panicked to focus on the situation at hand.

Her hand grabbed the back of the young man’s neck, and a knife was plunged into the back of his head before he could even react. John could see the glint of the blade that peaked through his mouth – dripping the red crimson on the ground – before it was retracted.

He reached for his gun and shot, the bullet only bouncing off her metal-clad shoulder. She tilted her head at him, and before he could shoot once more, she already had a hand around his wrist.

Her eyes were narrowed in a glare, and bottom of her face was hidden behind a coal-black mask. He punched her, anger seeping off him when his fist made contact with the side of her face. She wasn’t stunned. There was a slight glint in her eyes, as though his reaction amused her. She pulled on his wrist, pulling him forward as the tip of her boot kicked him in the abdomen.

He almost threw up from the pain, but reacted quickly by grabbing onto her leg and throwing her onto the ground. He didn’t waste any time, throwing his body on top of hers as he began to throw punches at her face.

She crossed her arms into an X, covering her face from the incoming blows. She attempted to push herself forward, the muscles in her arms flexing as did her best to sit up – to push him off of her. His hits were relentless, but he eventually slipped. He was already weakened by the mission, the many cuts and bruises on his body draining him of energy, but now that he was exerting himself even more, he felt himself reaching his limit.

She could see it. She could feel the punches become lighter, less abusive. She grabbed onto his wrist, and - perhaps to amuse herself - smacked him with his own hand. She pushed his weak body off her, rolling on top of him and landing a few punches of her own.

His nose was bloody and eyes swollen by the time she was done with him, his hands laying limply by his sides. She eventually patted him on the shoulder and stood up to make her way towards his Captain. His weak hand reached for the comms, finger pressing on the button on the side of it as he attempted to speak, “Requesting medevac,” he whispered, voice hoarse, “We got ambushed.”

He could faintly see her silhouette crouching beside the dead body of his superior, digging in his pockets. A quiet hum rolled through her nose when she retrieved a pen-drive; the same pen-drive they were ordered to collect.

Multiple voices sounded from his comms, yet the dizziness that had his eyes swirling prevented him from hearing a word they said. He felt her shadow fall over him; gentle tuts leaving her lips.

The barrel of her gun was aimed at his head, and he had no doubt she would happily blow his brains out. But just as she placed her finger on the trigger – teasing it – a gunshot rang out in the air. She cried out on pain, clutching the side of her stomach before sprinting away and disappearing into the shadows.

He couldn’t be nice to her. Not when all he could see were those eyes, amused by his own suffering. He stood up from his desk, his chair rolling back to smack against the wall behind him. He stormed towards her, and for a moment Kate feared he was going to hurt her.

He held out a finger in front of her face, “You step out of line and you’re gone, understood?” He spat.

“Yes, sir,” she nodded, eyes refusing to meet his own.

“You question an order - you’re gone. You talk back - you’re gone. If I as much as suspect you’re planning something, I’m gonna fuckin’ kill you myself. Understood?”

She swallowed thickly, “Yes, sir.”

“I don’t want you here,” he made it clear, “I don’t want to fuckin’ look at you, you hear me?”

She nodded stiffly.

“You better do your best to not piss me off, ‘cause if you do, I don’t think I’ll be able to stop myself from strangling you with my own hands,” he didn’t know where the anger – the fury - was coming from; he was most often composed, refusing to let his emotions get the better of him. Despite this, a part of him was glad to see the sad, almost fearful look on her face.

“You killed my fuckin’ men,” he told her through gritted teeth, “One of them – Davies – was barely 20. Had his whole life ahead of him. You took that away. You’ve got his blood on your hands, and I’m gonna do whatever it takes to make sure you hurt no innocent ever again.”

“Yes, sir,” she repeated her earlier words.

He was seething, “That all you know how to say?”

“No, sir,” she shook her head.

He scoffed in her face. “Now piss off. We’re training tomorrow.”

“Yes, sir,” was all she could say as she turned around and walked out of the room.

He could feel Kate staring at him. And when he looked back, she didn’t avert his gaze. “What?” He snapped.

She just shook her head, a tight smile on her face, “Nothing. Give me a call if something happens.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he waved her off, closing his eyes and releasing a calming breath once she was out of his view.

This was going to be a nightmare. This already was a nightmare. The thought of having to see her every single day – to act civil with her – seemed like a punishment.

Whatever did he do to deserve seeing her every day for who knows how long? Why him? Well, he knew why him, but it still felt as though Laswell was doing all this to spite him. To penalise him for something he had done, despite the fact he knew he did nothing to deserve such a treatment.

A part of him wished she would do something to anger him – something to make him suspect her of betrayal – just so he could be rid of her. Anything to get her out of his hair. He couldn’t stand the sight of her.

He could only grab his temples and groan, dreading the next few days, weeks, and maybe even months. Treat her like a person. He didn’t think he would be able to do it; he wouldn’t be able to treat like an equal – as a comrade.

A pained groan got past her parted lips when he body slammed her against the mat for the third time that afternoon. Price was stood above her, an unamused expression on his face as he stared down at her.

She pushed herself back up, wincing at the pain in her back. Sweat was already rolling down her temple and cheeks, wetting her hair and making it stick against her skin. She was panting, and looked as though exhaustion would soon take over her body.

“What?” He mused, “Out of shape, are we?”

She only nodded, causing his lips to curl into a frown. He didn’t mean to raise his voice at her, the words involuntarily flying out of his mouth.

“Talk!”

She nodded, the tone of his voice barely affecting her, “Yes, sir,” she heaved, “I wasn’t allowed to exercise for more than half an hour for the past ten years; they were afraid I would escape.”

He nodded at her confession, glad to finally get more than two words out of her. Although he couldn’t shake off the fact that the sound of her voice irritated her. He needed her to talk, but at the same time he wanted nothing more than for her to stay quiet.

They readied themselves once more; their legs spread apart and arms prepared for attack. This time, she moved first, throwing a punch against his shoulder and throwing him off balance. Perhaps if Price wasn’t looking at her through hate-filled eyes, he would have noticed how her punches weren’t as hard as they could be, her biceps barely flexing with every hit. She was holding back, allowing him to win every round.

He stopped himself before he fell to the floor, and grabbed onto her wrist. Using his strength, he twisted her around and wrapped his arm tightly around her neck – placing her in a headlock and restricting her airways. She gasped for breath and dug her nails into his skin in an attempt to get him off her. When that turned fruitless, she attempted to kick at his knee, but he moved his leg before she could.

Knowing she wasn’t getting out of this one – or rather allowing him to believe she wasn’t getting out of this one – she tapped three times against his forearm. He let her go, and she placed her hands against her knees whilst attempting to catch her breath. She was panting loudly as her airways tried to replenish her oxygen levels, her neck still feeling as though something was wrapped around it.

“You’re gonna have to practise some more before I let you out on the field,” he told her seriously, though his tone was taunting; amused by her lack of skill.

She nodded in agreement, “Yes, sir,” she told him.

Just then, two tall military men entered the gym and walked towards the mat the two had been practising on. “You wanted to see us, sir?” one of them asked.

John hummed, gesturing for her to walk towards him. She did as she was told, stepping beside him, the sweat still dripping down her temples. “This is No-Face,” he told his sergeants, she’s gonna be joining us for the next few missions.”

The two men nodded, the taller of the two sending her an inviting smile. The shorter one, with dark ginger hair, only nodded and spared her a short glance.

“Right, you two introduce yourselves and help her train. I’ve got a meeting in an hour,” he patted one of their backs and walked out; rushing out of the stuffy room.

The taller, dark-haired one was first to move, extending his hand in her direction, “Thomas Southwick,” he shook her hand.

The redheaded man then approached her, a gentle smile tugging at the corners of his lips, “Dan Morris,” he introduced himself, also reaching to shake her hand, which she happily accepted.

“We’re gonna go get changed,” Thomas told her curtly, “and then we’re gonna train, alright?”

She only nodded in return and watched as they made their way towards the changing room. Once the two were out of her sight, she palmed her neck and let out a sharp cough, the pain still evident in her throat.

She understood John’s actions – her dislike towards her – and she wouldn’t blame him if she woke up with a purple bruise along the expanse of her neck the next morning. She expected this reaction- the seething hatred, and harsh punches whilst sparring. After all, she did allow for his easy attacks; she did throw punches which were weaker than what she could actually throw; she did act as though she wasn’t as agile as she once was. She allowed him to beat her, and a part of her was glad when a smug expression grew on his face.

She only hoped that, maybe – despite their history – John Price would warm up to her. Perhaps friendship was too much to ask for, but she would settle for acquaintanceship. Anything other than the hateful glares he sent her way whenever she was in his proximity.

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#call of duty modern warfare #call of duty #call of duty mwii #call of duty price #john price x reader #john price x you #john price x female reader #captain price x reader #captain price x you #captain price x female reader #captain john price x reader #captain john price x you #captain john price x female reader #cod x reader #cod x female reader

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plentyoffandoms · 2 years

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Main Masterlist ♡ The Boys Masterlist ♡ Homelander Masterlist

Just like all my other stories, this has not been proofread, but please enjoy.

Warnings: Some swearing. Murder. Homelander OC a bit.

Gifs and photos do not belong to me.

Part one can be found here

Summary: Homelander couldn't stay away from YN and his children. No matter how much Stan Edgar threatened.

Homelander's POV:

I kept my distance from YN and the boys. I had too for their safety. I don't care much for anyone or anything in this world but I do care very much about them.

Stan was keeping track of me, I am sure of it. So I am waiting my time. Never stepping out of line. Doing exactly as he says.

For now.

But I couldn't wait any longer. I needed to see them. I know the baby will be coming any day now.

As I flew towards YN and the boys, I have no idea what I will be up against. Will there be people waiting there for me?

Will they harm them? Will they take the boys away and do experiments on them just like they did to me?

My questions were quickly answered as I saw the home come into view. I heard the boys before I saw them, laughing about something.

But Jack suddenly looked up and waved at me. I could hear them calling for me.

I landed in the backyard and my boys surrounded me. Usually they waited for their mother to greet me first, but she was in the house.

Josh and Joseph were telling me about school and I listened..well pretended to listen, but Jack was quiet.

"Why are you so quiet?" I finally asked him. Usually he is the first one wanting to tell me about his boring life.

He looked at his brothers and without even saying a word, Josh grabbed Joseph's hand and walked him into the house.

"There are men in the woods."

"Have you told your mother?" He shook his no.

"Good. No need to frighten her."

"Why are they here?"

"I will explain that to you soon, but I think it is best if we go inside." I gave him a tight smile.

The two of us walked inside and I was greeted by a very pregnant YN. She looked like she could give birth at any second.

"John." I leaned down and gave her a kiss, placing my hand gently on her stomach. I smiled into the kiss when I felt the baby kick.

"They are strong." I said to her.

"You're telling me. I feel like they have rearranged my insides." YN teased, but I could tell she was being serious.

I didn't plan on staying as long as I did, but time just seemed to fly by. One hour turned into five hours. I left YN with a kiss goodbye and I flew away before she could even tell me that she loved me.

I hoped that he didn't notice or no one told him but Stan Edgar always seems to find a way.

I found him in my room, calmly sitting there.

"I see you decided to go and have a visit with the family."

"Well, she is due any day now." I said to him.

"Yes but you know the rules. You must tell me when you are leaving and you didn't." He gave me that look I give the boys when they are in trouble and I am actually around to see it.

"Well Homelander, I told you what would happen if you stepped out of line." My blood ran cold at that one sentence.

"What have you done to them?"

"They are fine, but I must say your sons put up one hell of a fight." He picked up my TV remote and pushed a button.

I looked at the screen and could see it looked to be footage from one of the cameras that the men wear.

I watched as they broke into the house, guns drawn and pointing at YN, Josh, Jack and Joseph.

Josh didn't even hesitate to use his heat vision on a few of the men. But then he was shot and I could see that it was just something to knock him out.

Jack took a deep breath and YN and Joseph covered their ears as Jack let out a scream that shattered the windows and anything else breakable.

The men who didn't cover their ears, I watched as their heads exploded.

He went down with one shot and now it is little Joseph's turn. He was strong, just like myself and YN.

I watched as he threw the table at the remaining men and a few went down, but one got a bit too close to him.

Joseph grabbed the man and I watched as my son crushed this man's head in with his own two hands, but he too was put out.

This was all to much for YN. I could tell by her facial expressions and the way she was gripping her stomach that she has gone into labour.

"Where are they?" I asked as calm as I could.

"They are here. The boys are still sleeping and well as you can clearly tell, YN has gone into labour."

In the distance I could hear screaming and I know that scream anywhere. I turned to leave.

"One step out that door and I give the command to kill YN."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Wouldn't I? You see Homelander, she makes you feel something almost human like. She is the key to you and you don't even know it."

He was now standing next to me.

"That woman and your children are your weakness and Vought is thankful that you brought that to our attention."

I felt my jaw clenching at that, but I could hear YN screaming my name from what sounds like the sixth floor.

"You must hear her Homelander. She must be calling for you. What a hold you have on her. Maybe it is time we break that."

I was going to say something else when I heard the sound of a faint cry. I could hear the earpiece in his ear saying it is a girl.

"A girl Homelander. You must be so disappointed."

"Sir, you have to get here quickly. Something is wrong." The voice said again.

"Well Homelander, I guess it is time for you to say your final goodbyes to YN. Do not worry, your children will be safe with us."

I followed behind him as we walked towards our destination, but I wasn't letting him know that YN was fine. I can hear her heartbeat and it was a strong as ever.

I can hear the boys slowly waking up as well, but no one seemed to alert Stan about that.

We got to the closed door and it was quiet, too quiet, but Stan being the smug asshole that he is didn't seem to pick up on that.

He opened the door and the noise seemed to hit us. The guards were shooting at YN and our daughter but there was Force Field around the two of them.

Stan was standing there stunned, trying to figure out what the hell he should be doing, but I just pushed him out of the room and I enjoyed the sound of his body bouncing off of the wall.

I went around the room and killed every single person that was there. Many tried to run, but they forgot who they were dealing with.

Once the final person was done, I was at YN's side. The force field was down and I was able to get a good look at the two of them.

"John." YN gave me a tired smile. I looked her over and I could clearly see that she had bruises on her body, but they were healing. Slower than what I would like, but healing none the less.

"Where are the boys?" She asked as she looked around, seeing if the boys were near.

"They are coming. I can hear them." YN was happy enough with that answer. She knows that they can take care of themselves, even though they are young.

I got a good look at my daughter. Just like her brothers, she looks like me, except she has YN's eye colour.

"What will you be naming her?" YN asked me. I named the boys and I told her that I would be naming all of the children.

"Justina." YN hummed with approval. I heard Stan's heartbeat pick up as he gasped for air, coming too.

I groaned when I heard him try to get to his feet, but to my suprise, I saw him get lifted into the air by something.

I heard Justina make a cooing noise as she was looking straight at Stan. She closed her eyes and when she opened them, they were glowing pink.

"Get me down from here." Stan called out, but I didn't move. I needed to see what else my daughter can do.

To my pure delight as Justina moved her little fist around, Stan went in the same direction.

Hearing that bastard hitting the walls and the ceiling sounded like music to my ears.

But as that was happening, our sons ran into the room. All three of them covered in blood and guts.

"There you three are, come and meet your sister." They walked over to us and I took Justina from YN and held her in my arms.

"Her eyes are glowing." Josh pointed out.

"Yes, she is a bit busy at the moment flinging that man all over the room."

"She can also project a force field." YN told them.

I looked at my little family and they had their own strengths. Maybe it is time that they move in here with me.

"No more hiding. You all will live here with me."

"But what about Vought?" YN asked, her voice laced with concern.

"I am sure I can be persuasive. Do not worry YN, it is time that we rule as a family."

YN knew she didn't have a say in the matter, but she also knew I would do anything to protect the five of them.

Besides, who is going to stop us now?

Tag List: if you would like to be added, please let me know.@sawendel @tsukishimawhore

#the boys #the boys imagine #the boys fanfic #homelander x female reader #homelander fanfiction #homelander x reader #homelander #homelander fic #homelander x y/n #homelander x you

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danganronpa96 · 8 months

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Oh, this is very interesting. I assume you mean like from the DR3 anime, so (rubs hands together)

DR69:

Luigi - going into a room with the lights on (as no. 2, isn’t it your duty to be in the dark? Also this could stir up some interesting situations in the dark)

Mario - running or jumping (can’t yahoo his way out of this one)

Peter - talking (yep not a peep outta funny family moments guy, no cutaway gags no nothing, what will tiktoks use for footage now)

Brian - reading or writing (no books, no laptops, no pens. He won’t be needing them)

Miku - speaking in English (as an idol, it’s her goal to spread her voice to everyone around the world, so what if it was limited? She can still speak Japanese, and Chinese, but only a select few will understand her. Sure, it’s fine for those who can translate, but what if she was in a dire situation with someone who couldn’t…?)

Teto - Hatsune Miku dying (since she loves her so much, she’ll do anything to protect her, even if that goes for protecting her own life too)

Nagito - telling the truth (kinda like his despair disease, seems he can only lie or keep quiet… How can someone who hardly has any trust here gain any now?)

Sans - telling a joke/pun (at first this was gonna be a joke answer, but… it would be tough for him to remain serious in situations where he’d rather not be)

Parappa - crying (he really has to keep believing now, or else he’ll be clawing not to let all those emotions spill out)

Fluttershy - touching another animal participant that isn’t herself (therefore she cannot tend to any of them if the time comes)

Ashley - being more than a room apart from another person (ultimately forcing her to stick around people rather than isolate herself)

Ayano - not killing anyone in 20 days (this would really challenge her “yandere” persona, and reluctance to kill here)

2D - listening to music (this goes for music out of speakers, hearing someone sing, and even humming a tune. Man loves music so what if no song machine /album ref)

Mr. Krabs - giving or accepting a bargain (not just with money, but favours, requests, and payback all count too)

Dedede - fighting with another participant (whether physically or verbally)

The Conductor - witnessing any act of violence (since he is usually is very disregarding of other’s safety, especially during filming his own movies, perhaps now he has a chance to redeem himself with preventing danger)

DR96:

Hayasaka - giving the poison antidote he was provided to someone else (he can save someone else who triggered their action, at the cost of his own life…. (I smile deviously))

Kurumada - flirting with Hayasaka /JJJ ok but actually using his physical strength to protect someone (this goes for violent acts such as punching, or manual labour such as catching heavy objects from falling)

Mai - making eye contact with anyone (she’s such an outgoing, bubbly gal… so what if she could never meet someone eye to eye ever again? Never being able to look at the ones she loves properly… oh my)

Walter - telling a lie (cue a Walter White version of the Pinnochio scene from Shrek 3)

Jesse - swearing (Jesse don’t say “bitch” challenge impossible 5 dead 20 injured)

Saiki - using his telepathy to communicate (either open your mouth or say nothing, Saiki, your choice)

Kaidou - daydreaming (this includes roleplaying as the Jet Black wings and wearing his bandages and blazer over his shoulders, no more fantasies grow up boy /jjj)

Retsuko - raising her voice (this goes for her heavy metal screaming as well, she can’t stand up for herself anymore seeing as she mostly did it on her own in private)

Natsuki - being called “cute” (I think this would be simple but effective, cue her attempting to never share her forbidden action, and doing all she can to never be called such a thing, even going so far to be as rude as possible even if she doesn’t want to be)

Yuri - everyone does not die in 30 days (if she really wants everyone to die, she’ll do all that she can to make sure it happens before it’s too late for her. Whether she utilises their forbidden actions to do the trick or not is up for thought…)

Hiroshi - touching white objects (such as plates, paper, his own scarf… how practical can one practical boy be now?)

Brian - witnessing spiritual or supernatural activity (this could be talk of religion, going to the Shrine, reading books about such things, and anything to do with Mr. Devil…)

Bojack - participating in the consumption of alcohol (rip this guy IMMEDIATELY)

Latte - verbally conversing with a student (she can be around them, and use body language, but speaking is a no-no, so much for being a professor huh-)

L - performing any of his usual quirks (includes sitting with his knees up, eating sweets, holding things with his index finger and thumb etc., L be normal challenge)

Ena - changing emotional states (meaning they can’t go into their sad, drunk, depressed etc. states. Oh boy get ready for a challenge folks)

#sorry if any of these kinda lame #I had to make 32 semi unique actions mind you #and some of them just took direct inspiration from the DR3 ones #still some of these are really making me think #such as Ayano Hayasaka and Yuri

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stoopid-turtle · 9 months

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My Turtle Origin Story

Hi. I'm a rando on the internet. I make stuff up for fun and giggles. Nothing I say is real. Everything is fake. I'm fake. I bet you're fake. Fakity fake-fake.

Here's the intro post for this whole thing.

That being said, I got into The Untamed after reading MDZS last year. I'd never watched a c-drama before, though my wife and I have watched some k-dramas and j-dramas before. I was fascinated by a BL adaption in a country where gay relationships are censored.

I'm a nerd at heart, so I wanted to learn more about just...what this was about. How did this get made? Was it just for $$$? Did the people behind it take it seriously or was it a big joke? A cash-grab on a wildly popular web-novel? How was it received? How on earth was it discussed when the main relationship is a gay romance?

So I started watching the behind the scenes footage (bts) and interviews. And reading a bunch. And watching more. And reading more. Basically, I immersed myself into the swamp trying to figure this whole thing out.

My big fear going in was that there'd be a bunch of no-homo stuff in the bts. That nobody took it seriously. That the male actors were icked out by the minimal amount of subtext they did.

So I found it refreshing from the start to see that wasn't the vibe behind the scenes. Honestly, it reminded me a lot like the vibe with Xena. Back in the 1990s, an explicit lesbian couple just wasn't a thing on TV. The network wouldn't allow it.

So the show got as close as they possibly could with what ended up being referred to as "subtext". Xena went way further than The Untamed (Xena and Gabrielle are canon soulmates who have multiple kisses and swear a life commitment to each other). But behind the scenes was a cast and crew who genuinely wanted to show as much of the romance as possible. Who wanted to push the envelope as far as they could go. After a couple seasons, with the actresses' chemistry, they knew it was an epic love story, and they treated it as such.

Were there jokes? Yeah. The actresses had a running joke of flubbing a scene by saying "Now come here for a cuddle". There's a fantastic outtake of Lucy Lawless jokingly going in for a kiss at the end of a scene. But it wasn't a mocking atmosphere. It was sincerely felt and experienced, and it meant a lot to little gay me to see that in Xena. It felt similar to see the same spirit in the Untamed background. Much like Xena (the show) included an episode where she commissions Sappho to write a love poem for Gabrielle, The Untamed snuck in little hints with chickens and historical gay erotica. They took it as far as they feasibly could without the two male leads actually physically interacting much. (I'm putting aside the whole mess where they tried to make WQ a love interest)

There was an immediate difference between Xena and the Untamed behind the scenes, though. The actresses in Xena were close friends. They attended each other's wedding. Had great chemistry. But nobody ever thought they were a real couple, for various reasons. There is 0 chance they are or were ever a couple. Even with all the gay jokes behind the scenes, it's obvious.

As soon as I started looking up TU bts, Youtube started recommending this mysterious bjyx stuff to me.

"Aha!" I thought. "Is this what they call 'fanservice'?"

(I'm sorry. I know I'm not funny)

Okay, so I've been in fandom before with fictional characters. I've always been aware of real-person fiction and had mixed feelings about it. I've also known that some bands do gay fanservice and that BL live-action stuff often comes with fanservice. I'd never really seen it, though.

Still, what I could see in the videos wasn't THAT fanservice-y. A lot of bickering. Singing. Fighting. Lewd jokes. Making faces at each other. Completely nonsensical conversations. Not a lot of, like, handholding or kissing stuff like I'd expect from fanservice.

At the same time, the videos seemed to make wild leaps sometimes in showing that these two - GG and DD - were a thing. Much like the Xena actresses joked with each other about their characters being a couple, GG and DD and others joked about WWX and LWJ being a couple. Sometimes the videos seemed to conflate moments like that--clear jokes--with actual coupleness.

So I kinda dismissed them at first. I mean, it's part of fandom. Some people get into it. Not for me.

But I was still interested in the actors. I wondered how they got the roles. What they thought of them. What they thought about the gay elements.

So, again, reading and whatnot.

It's impossible to read about this stuff without coming across bjyx and turtles. That's where most of the background is discussed in English, honestly. So I read that. Usually kinda putting aside whatever they were trying to imply. Just trying to figure out more about the political situation. The vibe of the actors.

But as I watched and read, these bjyx candies

just

kept

coming.

Some easily dismissed. Some kinda compelling if you squint. Some that required some thought.

I watched a bunch of DD's other stuff (I guess my bias is for him? I adored DD from the start). Took note of his, um, clear lack of interest in women. I mean, yeah, as an idol, I'm sure he didn't want to cause a scandal by acting too familiar. But he seemed even more standoffish than that warranted. It was often commented on by...well, everybody around him.

And then I hit a bts scene that left me gawking. I said I wouldn't link the bts, so I'll just describe this scene. I've only come across it twice in two different bts compilations with slightly different translations, but the gist is the same.

GG and DD are in Cloud Recesses clothes. They're on a brightly lit green screen stage. The camera is shaky and the sound isn't super-great. (I've watched this so many times, I don't even need to look at the video to write down the interaction. I have it memorized)

DD: So flirty. (The translator notes that he's using northern slang here and I think that it came across differently to GG than he intended)

GG: *sarcastic thumbs up as if to say, "Um, rude, but ok"*

DD: You don't like it? *a moment* So beautiful. (the translator notes that this literally means "fairy-like")

GG: *a little swoon. then he stops* No, this word doesn't fit.

DD: Why doesn't it fit?

GG: It just doesn't fit WWX.

DD: I'm not talking about WWX. I'm talking about XZ.

GG: *shy smile with adorable nose crinkle*

DD: So beautiful.

Okay, I was floored. There went my whole, "joking about the role" ambiguity. DD was just straight-up flirting and GG was just straight-up accepting and enjoying it.

That kinda rearranged my brain.

Okay, so they were flirting with each other. But fanservice, right? Maybe the bts were staged?

So I read some more about the context of the releases and the boys' reactions to some of those releases. And I read more about what CP fanservice typically entails (shared endorsements, overt physical interaction, an abrupt ending when promo was done).

None of these matched up with what I was watching.

But still.

Like, seriously?

A huge TV hit based on a BL series, and the main leads are actually dating? That's...that's a story. That's the plot for a book. It's not something that really happens. Come on, now.

Then I came across the other candy that left me gawking. Old cow eats young grass.

I'm not gonna link. If you know, you know.

That's not even fanservice. That's just a couple bickering with each other.

Once I turned that corner, looking at the array of candies...even with the ones I don't take seriously, it just became...well, there's this thing about preponderance of evidence at a certain point. It doesn't mean any one candy is absolutely true. But it definitely indicates a more general truth. BJYXSZD

This is all fiction, though, and I'm a stoopid turtle.

Onward to the next post: Consuming Candies Pt 1: DD and GG are le Gay

#bjyx #yizhan #clowning around #i'm so long-winded #don't listen to me #i yammer on abt Xena of all things

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sebstanaddict · 1 year

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Love Song

Sebastian Stan x Reader Story

Chapter 16 - When Love and Hate Collide

Summary : A romantic comedy story between Sebastian Stan and female reader where we witness their journey after they said I do.

The secrets they have been trying so hard to cover up finally blew up in their faces. How will they deal with it? Will their love triumph or will they succumb to their distrust with each other and break their love?

Pairings : Sebastian Stan x Female!Reader

Chapters : 16/21 (might add more)

Chapter List>

Warning : angst, verbal fights, infidelity mentions

Word count : 6.5k

This is a sequel to my first Sebastian fic Always You. If you want to understand more about Sebastian's and reader's relationship, please read it first. But it's not necessary to understand this story. Check it out here.

---

I don't wanna fight no more

I don't know what we're fighting for

When we treat each other, baby

Like an act of war

I could tell a million lies

And it would come as no surprise

When the truth is like a stranger

Hits you right between the eyes

There's a time and a place and a reason

And I know I got a love to believe in

All I know

Got to win this time

Without you, one night alone

Is like a year without you, baby

Do you have a heart of stone?

Without you

Can't stop the hurt inside

When love and hate collide

When Love and Hate Collide - Def Leppard

-----

Gym and Fitness Center, Shangri-La Hotel, Paris, May 22nd 2023 - 11 pm

Bam.. bam.. bam..

The sound of boxing gloves making contact with a hanging punching bag in the deserted gym echoed around the room. No matter how many times and how long Sebastian had punched the bag, the anger in his heart still wouldn't go away.

How could she? He thought she was always honest with him. He never thought she was capable of lying to him and for so long too.

Zac! Why was he always in the picture? Standing between him and her even after he married her!

Bam!

His fist hit the punching bag hard, sending it flying across the room and it went flying back at him, making him jumped back to avoid it. He caught the punching bag with both hands and steadied it. He rested his forehead on the bag as he took several deep breaths.

His mind wandered back to what happened earlier at the hotel suite. He remembered the crushing feeling in his chest as he saw the footage of her at Zac's concert, and the pictures of her with Zac in front of the hotel in Amsterdam. Betrayed, he never felt so betrayed in his life.

Then something worse happened. Somehow a picture of him and Stephanie and the hooker in Cannes got out. The feeling of guilt crept to his heart, mixed with the hurt and the realization that something was very wrong in their marriage.

He didn't know how long they stared at each other in disbelief after the entertainment channel finished broadcasting their story. He could see tears fell from her eyes and for the first time in his life he didn't want to wipe it away. Hurt, his heart hurt and he was glad she was feeling it too.

He watched as she stood up and put her clothes on. He sighed and put his clothes on too. Then they stood across from each other. Speechless.. wordless.. as their eyes tried to communicate how disappointed they were with each other.

Finally she said the first words.

"Who was she? The brunette?" She asked, her voice trembled as she looked up at him, her eyebrows furrowed and bottom lip quivered.

"No one. Just a stupid hooker that tried to seduce me. I swear I didn't do anything with her! I left as soon as she put her hand on my thigh." He explained.

She stared at him, her eyes still showed doubt.

"Y/n.. I would never cheat on you. You know that. You're the love of my life.." He said and his heart bled as he said it to her. He felt like she might not feel the same way. What.. with her going behind his back and meeting Zac while he was away.

Tears fell from her eyes as she heard him.

"But maybe you would.. huh?" He said coldly.

"What?! No! Seb, nothing happened between me and Zac! I swear!" She pleaded as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

"It didn't look like nothing happened. How could you, Y/n?! Going behind my back and seeing him like that?!" He yelled as he started to pace the room.

"I'm.. I'm sorry, Seb for not letting you know about it. You were so jealous of Zac that I thought it would just hurt you if I tell you." She said.

"D**n right it hurt me, Y/n! I mean.. why? What did I do to deserve this?" He asked as he stopped pacing and stared at her from across the room.

"Well maybe if you weren't so busy with your f*****g job and paid more attention to me I wouldn't have gone out and see Zac!" She yelled.

"What?!" He stared at her in disbelief. All this time he thought she understood him and his love of his work. But she was just like any other woman wasn't she? Thirsty for attention.

"We're on our honeymoon and all you do is work!" She protested.

"Y/n.. you know d**n well that's not true!" He argued.

"It is! All I wanted was just for you to focus on me and Starlene for two weeks but what did you do?! You went across the country from us, leaving me and a sick baby alone!" She yelled.

"I thought you were okay with it, Y/n! And besides, me leaving you doesn't give you permission to go and see your godd**n ex! Oh... wait.. now I know why you were so understanding of me leaving. You had him to entertain you while I was away, didn't you?! In fact, you probably couldn't wait for me to be gone so you could run to him, huh?" He sneered.

"Seb! That's not true! I didn't meet him on purpose!" She argued, disbelief colored her voice.

"Oh.. you didn't? It just so happened that you went to a concert he was playing at without knowing that he was going to play there? Is that it?" He snickered.

"Seb.. I.. " she sighed as she looked at him and walked closer to him.

"He invited me to come see him at the concert. I was having fun having some me time but I haven't seen a concert in a while and I thought why not, you know? I should have told you that I went.. but I know how much you're so jealous of Zac. So I decided not to tell you. I'm sorry." She said, looking up at him with guilt in her eyes.

"Did you see him again after the concert?" He asked slowly.

"I did.. but it was accidental. I was having lunch with Starlene and Zac just happened to be there. I swear I didn't meet up with him on purpose." She said, her eyes pleading.

"What's with the kiss?" He asked, his heart bled again as he remembered seeing the picture of Zac seemingly kissing her cheek.

"Seb.. it was just a good bye peck on the cheek. Nothing more." She explained. For a split second he could see conflict in her eyes but then she looked down and walked away from him. She sat on the sofa, closed her eyes and put her fingers on the bridge of her nose, pinching it.

Her explanation made sense. But it still didn't ease the hurt in his heart. The fact that she even thought of Zac to have some fun during their honeymoon hurt him. Apparently he was still doing a bad job as a husband.

"Your turn now." She said after a while.

"What?" He blinked, not understanding what she meant as his mind was still reeling with the information she just gave him.

"Stephanie.. what were you doing with her?" She asked, her eyebrows furrowed, anger in her eyes.

"Oh.." He completely forgot about Stephanie, so focused was he in her betrayal that he forgot he had some explanation to do himself.

He walked closer to her and sat on the sofa across from her then took a deep breath.

"I met her accidentally in Cannes. She was there with a director as his.. umm.. escort." He said slowly.

Her eyes widened as she listened to him.

"Stephanie is an escort?" She asked.

"Yeah.. and a stripper." He continued.

"What?!" Her jaw dropped.

"Umm.. yeah." He said.

He finally told her how he had met her accidentally too at his Bachelor's party and then told her all about Stephanie's unfortunate condition. But he of course omitted the fact that Stephanie kissed him in her apartment. She didn't need to know, it would just hurt her and it was irrelevant anyway. The most important thing was that he did not cheat on her with Stephanie. He thought as he tried to convince himself.

He continued to tell her what happened after the initial meeting with Stephanie at that bar in Cannes and how she showed up at his hotel room, bruised and battered.

"I.. I couldn't stay in the room with her too long. She was being nostalgic and talking about our past. I didn't want anything to happen between us. So I left my room and went out to have some drinks and that's when I met the hooker. I got away from the hooker only to get robbed and beaten up." He chuckled dryly.

"You could have sent her away, Seb." She said.

"But she didn't have anywhere else to go, Y/n. She needed a place to stay. I couldn't just.. not help her.. you know." He argued.

"That's your problem. Always wanting to please and help other people, but at your own expense." She said and for a second he could see her eyes softened as she looked at him but then it showed disappointment.

"Why didn't you tell me this before, Seb?" She asked.

"I'm sorry Y/n.. I guess I didn't want to hurt you." He sighed.

"Well, you hurt me by not trusting me with this information. Were you planning on not telling me at all?" She asked, her voice raised a little.

"Well.. look who's talking. I could ask the same thing to you." He said and the moment he said it he regretted it.

She stared at him with a mixture of guilt and anger in her eyes. He was making things worse. He knew it. But he couldn't help himself. Her seeing Zac behind his back still hurt him, and it was different. She purposely met Zac the first time around. While he never sought out to meet Stephanie on purpose.

"I'm sorry, Seb. I guess I didn't want to hurt you either." She said slowly as she looked down at her lap and tears started to fall down from her eyes.

He thought he would want to wipe those tears away from her cheek. But no, he still couldn't bring himself to do it. She was suffering and he was glad if she suffered as much as he suffered.

In the twenty two years that he knew her he couldn't believe he would ever feel this way about her. Hate. He thought he would only feel love for her. But now love and hate collided in his heart, leaving him bleeding, bruised and battered inside as both feelings fought for dominance in his heart. Unfortunately for now hate seemed to have won. He couldn't look at her without feeling the hate so he stood up and left as he looked for something to help erase the hate in his heart.

She didn't stop him. She didn't even ask where he was going. She just let him go and that hurt him even more.

He felt tears rolling down his cheek as he thought of that fact. She didn't care, did she? In fact she probably was on the phone with Zac laughing about how stupid he was.

Bam!

He hit the punching bag again as the negative thought invaded his mind. He knew it was just a stupid thought. She couldn't be that heartless.

Several minutes gone by and slowly he felt his anger dissipated. Now that he thought about it, he was also guilty for not letting her know about Stephanie. He didn't want to hurt her so he didn't tell her. Hence, he could definitely understand why she didn't tell him about Zac. But he still couldn't understand and couldn't accept that she needed to go to Zac's concert in the first place to have some fun. Of all the activities she could have done, why did she choose something relating to Zac? Does she still love Zac? He couldn't help but wonder and with that thought in mind he felt his heart bleed again.

Bam.. bam.. bam..

He continued to punch the punching bag, imagining Zac's face on it as he tried to let off some steam and stop the bleeding in his heart.

---

La Suite Shangri-La, Shangri-La Hotel, Paris, May 22nd 2023 - 10 pm

She looked up and saw him stood up and walked away from her. Her heart ached tremendously as she watched his retreating back slipped out of the suite and into the dark hallway outside. He didn't say a single word and just left, breaking her heart even more. She remembered seeing the hate in his eyes and that broke her.

She didn't know what else to do and thought it would be best for them to stay away from each other for a while. Despite feeling all the guilt and heartbreak in her heart, she was also angry at him for not telling her about Stephanie. She couldn't believe that while she was so busy trying to keep a secret from him for the past couple of days that he had done the same thing to her! And even longer than she had! He first met her at his Bachelor's party for God's sake! Why didn't he let her know about it before they were married? Was he hiding something from her? She couldn't help but ponder.

She sighed and wiped the tears from her eyes. She stood up and went into the bedroom. She glanced at Starlene's crib and was for a moment feeling a little peace as she looked at her daughter's peaceful sleeping face. She then went to the bed and laid herself down, looking up at the ceiling and wondering where he went and whether she should look for him.

No, just stay away from him for now. It would be best for you to get some space away from each other. Let him think and you should think yourself about all this. She could hear herself talk in her mind.

This was it, she thought as she picked up the heart shaped pendant he gave her from the necklace on her neck and twirled it around in her fingers. This was something she had dreaded since the day he confessed his love to her. She wasn't sure she could keep up with his life style. She wasn't sure she could deal with being away from him so long and not fretting about whether he would cheat with his co-stars during shooting. She thought she was doing well in not letting those thoughts bother her because he seemed to be so in love with her that she believed he would always be honest with her. But the fact that he didn't tell her the truth about what happened in Cannes and at his Bachelor's party confirmed to her that he could easily lie to her if he wanted. Which meant he could easily cheat on her if he wanted to.

Tears welled up in her eyes again as the realization hit her. She wondered if anything happened between him and Stephanie. She couldn't help but feel a nagging feeling in her chest that he wasn't being entirely honest with her. Well, she wasn't either. She still kept the information that Zac kissed her from him because.. well, he was already so angry at her now. She couldn't imagine how angry he would be knowing Zac kissed her. If something happened between him and Stephanie and he didn't let her know about it, she could somehow understand it. He most likely didn't want to hurt her either, just like she didn't want to hurt him. Which was f****d up really. That was not how a couple should be with each other in a marriage. They should be able to tell to each other about everything. She thought in frustration.

She realized she needed to completely come clean to him about Zac having kissed her, then maybe he would come clean to her too if and that's if anything happened at all between him and Stephanie. There was also the possibility that nothing really happened between them, just like he said and she would be fretting over nothing.

She sighed. Well, as much as she wanted to talk to him again, he wasn't there now. And she wasn't in the mood to go look for him. She was still angry at him and he obviously was too at her. It was for the best that they stayed away from each other for a while and blow off some steam before they talk to each other again. She finally concluded.

She dropped the heart shaped pendant from her fingers and decided to check out her cellphone. She wondered if the story of their scandal had reached Emma.

She found her cellphone in her handbag and as soon as she checked it her heart plummeted into her stomach. Emma had apparently called her multiple times and left her a message. She opened the message and sighed as she read it.

"Hi Y/n. I'm sorry to bring you bad news but things have escalated. There are apparently pictures of Seb at Cannes with two different women. You should probably open your Instagram. They're all over Instagram and other social media. We couldn't contain this one. And well, could you ask Seb about them and get back to me ASAP. We need clarification immediately. Thanks." - Emma.

With a heavy heart she opened Instagram and the first picture on her feed that popped up was a collection of images of Sebastian with the brunette woman and Stephanie. A Sebastian fan account had posted them. She checked the comments and her chest tightened as she read them. His fans were mostly confused about the pictures but a lot of them were defending him and blaming her for making him behave like that. They were all making theories about what happened between them and it hurt reading them.

"They were married for barely two weeks and she was already seeing her ex. No wonder he ended up with other women in Cannes."

"I thought they were so in love with each other. What hope do we have now if a couple like them are cheating with each other. Hollywood really is fake through and through."

"Sebastian better leave her. He doesn't deserve to be treated like this. He shouldn't be forced to go and hire a hooker to have some good time. Where was she when he needed her? Oh right, with her ex!"

The comments were like shots of bullets directed at her heart, leaving her bleeding and hurt beyond belief.

She closed her eyes for a moment to regain her composure and after a while she took a deep breath, opened her eyes and continued to scroll down her feed.

Suddenly a reel of what seemed to be a gossip podcast caught her attention. There was a big caption on the reel.

"Sebastian Stan's marriage is crumbling"

Her heart seemed to stop as she looked at the caption. She stopped scrolling and continued to watch the reel.

The podcast hosts talked about them and showed the damaging pictures from both of their sides. Then they continued to talk and gave opinions and theories about what was actually going on between them. Of course they assumed both of them were cheating on each other and that made her so angry. She was so frustrated at how people could come to a wrong conclusion based on just a second of an event.

She then read the comments and it hurt her to see that most of the comments agreed they were cheating on each other. Well, they weren't, the most important thing was that they really weren't. At least she knew she wasn't. But had Seb told her the whole truth yet? She questioned again and couldn't help but feel the nagging feeling in her heart.

She stopped watching the reel and checked her notification. Indeed, as she had expected, many people were talking badly about her. With each comment and message her heart broke into more and more pieces. She couldn't deal with it anymore. So she decided to deactivate her Instagram and uninstall the app from her cellphone. Then she started to type a message to Emma.

"Hi Emma, sorry for not getting back to you earlier. I saw the pictures. We watched an entertainment channel broadcasted them for the world to see earlier today. Seb told me he didn't cheat on me with those women. The blonde one is his ex and she was at that bar in Cannes with a man. They were just talking so he didn't cheat on me with her. The brunette woman was apparently a hooker who tried to seduce him for whatever reason but he denied to get any service from her and left her as soon as she put her hand on his thigh. So yeah, those were just pictures that meant nothing really. The public have jumped to the wrong conclusion." - Y/n

Moments later Emma called her and she reluctantly picked it up.

"Hi Y/n, thank you for getting back to me and I'm so glad that the pictures meant nothing. Could I talk to Seb? I need to ask him about how we can mitigate this and save his image. Because, as you clearly have seen, the public perception are not good for him and for you." Emma said.

She sighed. Well, the public weren't entirely wrong. Things weren't good between them. At least not yet. She thought sadly.

"I'm sorry Emma, Seb is out at the moment. We both kind of need some time alone now. This whole thing had shocked me and him and we need some time to process things." She said.

"Oh okay, of course, take all the time that you need. We'll just clarify this as much as we can and we'll come up with something. Please tell him to contact me as soon as he is ready." Emma said.

"I will. Thanks Emma. Oh, by the way, I decided to deactivate my Instagram. Reading all the messages and comments are just too much for me to deal with at the moment." She said.

"Oh, okay. Honestly Y/n, deactivating your Instagram might seem like you're showing you're guilty at what the public had thought of you. I think it's better that you reactivate it again and we can use it to mitigate this situation. But.. I can't dictate what you should and shouldn't do, I'm just giving some advice here." Emma said.

"Emma, thank you for your advice but I cannot deal with it right now. So for now I'll continue to deactivate it and I don't care what people would think about that. The most important thing is we are not cheating on each other." She said but she could feel in her heart that she didn't entirely buy it. She still needed to talk to Sebastian and clarify everything.

"Okay, Y/n. I'm sorry." Emma said.

"It's okay, Emma." She sighed.

"Okay, talk to you later then, Y/n." Emma said.

"Yeah, later Emma. Thanks." She said and they finally hung up.

She put her cellphone down on the night stand next to the bed and laid back down on the bed.

She hated being in the spotlight. It was one thing to be in the spotlight when she was seen as someone that was positive to Sebastian. But it felt entirely different now that the public perception of her was so negative. She wished she could just crawl into a hole and die. She couldn't deal with the embarrassment, the slander and all the bad comments coming her way.

She felt it again, the uncomfortable feeling like they weren't meant to be. Feelings that she felt right before their wedding, when she realized that all throughout their relationship there had been problem after problem. And now this. The fact that he kept choosing his work over her, even during their honeymoon really bothered her. Then the fact that he could keep something from her for so long and straight up lied to her face about what happened in Cannes bothered her even more. She also couldn't deal with being under the microscope and having people who knew nothing about her pick her apart and saying all these hurtful things about her.

People say love is enough. But apparently love isn't enough to sustain a marriage.

The thought broke her and she finally cried again as she wept over the possibility that their love might not last forever like she originally thought.

---

Sebastian opened the door to his hotel suite and expected to see Y/n still sitting on the sofa where he had left her but she was gone.

It was 1 am when he finally had enough punching the punching bag. His body was full of sweat, his hands and arms hurt but the hurt was nothing compared to the hurt in his heart. Which thankfully had lessened so much after he worked off some steam.

The movements from punching and at times kicking the punching bag helped his mind get into a more tranquil state. The raging emotions he felt replaced by a quietness and stillness, making him able to see and think more clearly.

He had laughed a little at how stupid they were both. They both didn't want to hurt each other and that was the reason they were in this predicament in the first place. If only they had prioritized at being honest at each other instead of guarding each other's feelings, things wouldn't have gotten this far.

Communicate better. He remembered his mother's advice before he finally decided to propose to her. They both should learn to communicate better. And so he came back to her that night, hoping to talk to her again and hopefully mend their relationship.

He realized he was being an ass to her sometimes.. well.. most of the time.. by prioritizing his career over her during this honeymoon. He realized if the roles were reversed that he would probably be as pissed off as she was. He remembered hearing Renate saying to him that she would probably throw a tantrum at him if she was left alone during their honeymoon with a sick baby. Renate's comment made him realize that Y/n was the most patient woman he ever knew. And he was wasting her away by focusing more on his job when he was supposed to focus on her.

He also understood why she needed some me time. It wasn't easy to take care of a baby 24/7. But he still couldn't understand why she had to go to Zac to have some me time. He needed to ask her about it. He needed to know if she still had feelings for Zac. Deep down he knew she didn't. He remembered all those times she stared at him with eyes full of love and he could feel it. Her love for him. So he was sure that she didn't still have feelings for Zac. He just had to confirm it.

He closed the door behind him and walked into the living room. He looked around and didn't see her so he went to the bedroom.

He found her lying on the bed sideways, her back to him. He tiptoed closer to her, thinking that she was already asleep but when he got in front of her he saw her eyes were opened. They were bloodshot and swollen. Her face was slightly red and she looked devastated. Obviously she had been crying hard and he couldn't help but feel his heart broke seeing her like that.

She looked up at him and said "Seb.. you're back."

"Yeah, I am." He said as he sat on the bed next to her.

"Where were you?" She asked.

"The gym. Punching a punching bag. I.. uh.. needed to let off some steam."

"Oh.. okay." She said and she sat up slowly and leaned back on the bed rest.

"Are you.. okay?" He asked gently.

"No. Are you?" She asked, her eyes searched his.

"I'm.. well.. I feel so much better after doing all those punching." He chuckled.

"And imagining my face on it?" She snickered.

"Oh God, no! I would never! I was imagining Zac's face!"

"Oh.. right." She said, realization dawned in her eyes.

"Speaking of Zac. I.. have to ask you Y/n. Do you.. do you still have feelings for him?" He asked, his heart pounded hard in his chest.

Her eyes widened at his question and she immediately shook her head.

"Oh God! No, Seb. He's just a friend."

"Okay, it's just.. I don't get why you decided to visit him at his concert during your me time. You know. I mean.. of all the activities you could have done, why did you choose the one relating to Zac?" he asked, his eyebrows furrowed.

She sighed and took a deep breath.

"I was.. frustrated at how this honeymoon turned out, you know. And I was angry at you for prioritizing your work and angry at Starlene for being sick and making me have to stay in Amsterdam instead of coming with you to Cannes. I was.. I'm sorry to say this.. but.. taking care of Starlene by myself all those times you were away shooting Cap 4 just exhausted me.. you know. Zac kind of.." she paused for a moment and he could feel she was unsure about sharing this part. So he reached out his hand to hers and squeezed it gently, urging her to continue.

"Zac kind of symbolized the times when I was still.. well.. not a mom. And.. I know I was being really stupid but I wanted to feel the freedom I felt before Starlene came along. I haven't seen a concert in such a long time. And I thought it would be good to be there and just show support for an old friend. You know." She finally continued, her eyes looked up at him full of hope that he would understand.

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm sorry if I contributed in making this honeymoon a bad experience for you. And I'm sorry that I left you so long for Cap 4. But, I'm sure you know what you were getting into when you got into a relationship with me. You know the long hours of my work and the fact that at times I would have to be away from you for months." He said.

"I know. I'm sorry too. Like I said, I was being stupid." She sighed.

"No you're not, honey. Your feelings are valid." He said as he squeezed her hand again.

"Perhaps I can try to lessen the work I accept in a year. And maybe I can take you whenever I need to go away for a shoot longer than a month. And you know, if you feel you need help in taking care of Starlene we could always hire a nanny." He suggested.

"Yeah.. maybe.." she said and she looked down. Clearly she was still feeling bad.

"Sweetheart.. what's wrong?" He asked.

She didn't answer immediately but picked up her cellphone and showed him the message from Emma.

"Oh. Well, it's late, I'll call her in the morning." He said after reading the message and returning the cellphone to her.

"Don't you want to know what people are saying about us?" She asked.

"No, it will bring nothing good for us. I don't need to know." He shook his head, knowing first hand how people on the internet could be so cruel, judgmental and hateful to another person even though they don't know the whole story.

"They're saying we're cheating on each other." She said, ignoring him completely.

"I bet they are. The pictures can make people think that. But, the most important thing is that we're not. Right?" He asked, his heart pounded hard again in his chest as he waited expectantly for her answer.

"I don't know about you but I wasn't cheating on you." She said. Her statement made him feel relief but at the same time he was surprised by how she worded it.

"What do you mean by 'I don't know about you'?" He asked, his voice raised a little.

"Well.. did something happen between you and Stephanie?" She asked, her eyebrows raised.

His heart caught in his throat as he tried to decide whether he should tell her about the kiss or not. But seeing how she looked so devastated now convinced him that it was a bad idea to tell her about the kiss. It would just make things worse. It could break her and he didn't want that.

"Nothing happened between me and Stephanie, Y/n." He finally answered and looked at her straight in her eyes, hoping she would buy the lie. It hurt to have to lie to her again, but it was for her own good, he thought, trying to convince himself.

"Okay." She said and he could see relief filled her eyes as well.

He squeezed her hand tight then put both hands on the sides of her face.

"Y/n.. sweetheart.. I'm sorry for being such an ass all this time, prioritizing my work over you. I'm sorry I made this honeymoon a living hell for you. And I'm sorry I lied to you about Stephanie and about what happened in Cannes." He said as he gazed at her eyes, pleading for her forgiveness.

"I promise I will prioritize you and Starlene from now on. And I promise I will never lie to you again." He continued as he stroked her cheek gently with his thumb. He expected her to smile at him but she didn't, which bothered him a little.

"I'm sorry too, Iubirea mea for not telling you about Zac." She finally said.

"And I'm sorry for going behind your back and telling Emma that you had consented to a clarification statement that you haven't even seen." She stated in shame.

"You did what, sweetheart?!" He asked in disbelief and dropped his hands from her face.

"Well.." she trailed.

She finally told him how she had lied to Emma about having told him about Zac after the tabloid article came out. And how she lied to Emma that she had shown him the statement even though she hadn't.

"There was a tabloid article?" He asked, his eyebrows raised.

"Yes, it was the reason why I insisted we stayed at the hotel instead of going out. I was so afraid you would see it on a newsstand somewhere. And it was why I couldn't enjoy it when we did the city tour and why.. why I threw up at Nicole. I was so anxious that you would find out." She explained, her face beet red.

"Oh sweetheart.." he said, feeling a little angry at her but also sorry for her.

"You should have told me earlier and avoid all that anxiety."

"Well, seeing how you also kept a secret from me even longer than I have I'm sure you would understand why I didn't tell you earlier." She snickered.

He felt like she had shot him at the heart with her statement. He didn't answer her immediately and just stared at her for a moment, not sure how to respond.

"I guess we still have a lot of work to do huh? In the trust department." He finally responded.

"I guess." She sighed and looked down again.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong? You know you can tell me anything." He said, encouraging her to open up to him.

She took a deep breath and finally said. "I'm sorry, Seb. Maybe it's just the negativity in my mind, but the fact that you kept a secret from me and was able to lie to my face about what happened in Cannes made me think that it would be easy for you to cheat on me if you wanted to. And.. I know you said you didn't. But we don't know what will happen in the future. I mean, who knows.. you could be paired up with a young and beautiful actress one day and.. you might fall in love with her and.. since you're a good actor and liar you could just lie to me about it. You have no idea how freaked out I am about that. Wondering and questioning whether you're still loyal to me or not whenever you're away shooting. I.. I don't know if I can deal with that."

He felt his heart constricted again in his chest as he listened to her. He couldn't believe how badly she could think about him. But then again, he thought the exact same thing about her. He wondered if she would cheat on him given the chance. He would be away for work for months at a time. It was easy for her to hide the fact she had met Zac and went to his concert. What if something like that happened again in the future but maybe with another ex of hers or with someone new entirely. Now that he thought about it, he also didn't know if he could deal with that.

"Are you saying you don't trust me, Y/n?" He asked slowly.

"I.. it's not that Seb. I.. I really don't know how to say this but.. I just don't know yet how to deal with this." She said in frustration.

"To be honest it crossed my mind too, Y/n. How easy it was for you to lie to me about Zac. Don't think that it didn't bother me. It did. It still does." He said, his eyebrows furrowed.

"I'm sorry, Seb." She said, her bottom lip trembled.

"I'm sorry too Y/n that you don't trust me yet and I'm sorry too about not trusting you yet either." He said in regret.

He saw a tear dropped from her eyes and this time he wiped it away. Despite feeling angry at her for not trusting him yet, he couldn't stop loving her.

His gesture seemed to break her guard that he had felt she had put up ever since he came into the bedroom earlier. She sobbed hard and he reached out and hugged her tight. He rubbed her back gently as she continued to cry on his shoulder.

He was reminded so much of their past. How she usually cried on his shoulder after breaking up with a guy and how sometimes it was him crying on her shoulder after a girl hurt him. He couldn't believe that this time it was him that made her cry and it was her that hurt him.

Love was really complicated. He finally concluded as he continued to feel the hurt in his heart.

As much as he hated it, at that moment he felt things were never going to be same between them.

And it broke him.

Taglist

@sebsgirl71479 @dhoruwolfie

Chapter 17 >

#sebastian stan #sebastianstan #sebastian stan fluff #sebastian stan fanfic #sebastian stan fanfiction #sebastian stan x reader #sebastian stan x y/n #sebastian stan x you #sebastian stan x female reader

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murasaki-cha · 5 months

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I was recording myself rereading "Assistant to the villain" (because I wanted to see what I look like when I read for reasons) and I swear I've never in my life gone as freaking red as I did when I was reading the scene where Trystan was ready to fight dust🤣💕

I was in class btw. Publicly blushing because a man wanted to fight dust when his totally not crush sneezed. The lengths I go for this book

The actual footage below. And keep in mind I don't blush. Almost ever. This is me going full red

Ayy more me face

#attv #assistant to the villain #trystan maverine #the villain #evie sage #hannah nicole maehrer #romantasy #romance books #book rec #book recommendations #bookblr

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scarlxtleaves · 5 months

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Send '🗣' + character's name meme for my opinion / accepting / @nulltune

🗣 BUT ALSO- KAZUHA !! ✨️

OH MAN. Kazuha came into the game at a point where I was just ready to leave it. Still loved Diluc but I was getting bored at that point which was mostly due to burn out and then I saw leaked footage of Kazuha’s gameplay. This was BACK when the leaks were like WAY TOO EARLY, I swear his leaks were two patches before his actual reveal. IF NOT then it really felt like forever. Either way, I’m a history nut as the bots can tell you and samurai shit just comes with the territory. Loved him from his design and especially his anime-centric fighting style. Really brought me back to those Rurouni Kenshin days.

I’ve already started writing as him on discord servers looong before we even knew about him and from what that site had as a small summary about him stated that he harbors a heavy burden. Now you know my brain already got to working. From what we could have guessed is he was a ronin, OOOOOOH the headcanons I had for him back then was definitely something I should have seen coming in hindsight because Genshin was too much like rated E for everyone game in terms of storytelling with their main characters. See, I thought he worked for the raiden shogun and was part of her loyal army during the vision hunt decree and he had killed someone he shouldn’t. I headcanon the bandaged hand was just riddled with scars from that last fight.

When he finally got here..I was WRONG, like wrong wrong but I still loved what they had to tell going off the trailers alone. That’s when I made my first Kazuha blog. This man literally changed the game for me, stories to me had gotten a lot more interesting with his inclusion and can I talk about his elemental skill? The man brought DOUBLE JUMPING to genshin y’all. JUST GOD I can talk about him all day. Let’s not mention how my heart broke for this man when that summer event rolled around. The shit he went through, how hard he tried to bring honor to his family (and his cow) but his gramps was like ‘no child go live your life’.

Genshin has YET to make another character that pulled me in as Kazuha did. I mean the characters they’ve made since then have been aight, Itto, Neuvillette, Wrio to name a few. They’re ‘okay’ to me (especially wrio cause i love me a melee fighter) but they weren’t Kazuha.

#mail #ooc post #nultune #❛ mail ━━ you're losing your way but i'll carry you home.

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tinessensahthe · 10 months

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youtube

Early this morning, before I go to bed, I'm gonna post what is my most widely known project and my first feature-length film that I ever made: "Tobias and the Half-Pariah"!

A widely known, prolific work amongst the older, adult fandom of Thomas the Tank Engine, this was my first truly huge project that I ever undertook. It took 2 years to make this movie, from August 2012 to its eventual release date on August 24, 2014, my move-in day for my freshman year of college.

It is wild, it is crazy, it is edgy, dark, and ridiculous - a very big departure from Thomas the Tank Engine's normal vibe, both in the official show and in most fan content at the time this was released, and even today.

Toby the Tram Engine is a steam-diesel hybrid in this film. His eyes glow blue like in sci-fi anime when he activates the diesel half of his body, and he gets into actual fights with other engines with very heavy, hard-hitting physicality. The story starts out like a slice-of-life storybook, as the original stories did, and then morphs quickly into an action-thriller-drama. The villain is a fan favorite character, Duck the Great Western Engine, here reimagined as a wrathful, deeply insecure weakling. He's a steam engine who used to be a diesel - until he got into an accident with Toby 18 years ago, and his diesel engine was used to make Toby into a hybrid while his consciousness was transferred into a tank engine body. There's even a Lord of the Rings-esque final battle with steam engine and diesel armies squaring off against one another with epic music blaring and a giant fight breaking out! There's even swearing and violent, shocking deaths! Very much within PG-13/12A standards, but still! Everything about this film was, as one reviewer put it, GO BIG OR GO HOME, and that's a pretty apt summary of my mindset making this movie.

So, a very far cry from "normal" Thomas's gentle, quiet storytelling, storybook world that you can get lost in, and dry, biting British wit. I made this on a then-8 year old computer which could barely handle all the work I was making it do. This is a machinima film, and my computer could barely run the program I used, Trainz Railroad Simulator 2009, even at its lowest graphics settings. I often was forced to film footage at sub-10 fps levels and then speed it up in post, often having to account for this while I was filming in terms of blocking, how fast characters moved, how fast the camera moved, and how I would coordinate multiple characters moving on screen at once, interacting with each other, etc. - often all at the same time. That old computer, may she rest well, nearly died on me 4 times during the production of this movie and nearly cost me the entire film, so, yes, this is a real film and I'll hear nothing to the contrary.

Despite all this, though, despite the film's age and all the technical limitations, and my own limitations, I still think the film holds up pretty well. There are definitely some things I would do differently now, but I'm still happy with what I was able to do with this movie, my first ever feature-length film, and if not happy, then at least - content. Satisfied.

Thank you to all who’ve stuck around for the last 9 years! “Arcane Merchant” is finally in post-production, but it’s turning out to be a lot more work than I expected, especially as I don’t have the energy I had when I was a wee 19 year old. I hope I can still make the December 2023 release date, but the good news is, if I can’t release the film for this year, then it will absolutely be released next year. We’ll see.

In the meantime, have a good one folks, and I hope you enjoyed the movie!

#tathp #thomas and friends #thomas the tank engine #trainz #fan film #tobiasandthehalf-pariah #toby the tram engine #Youtube

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h2obased · 2 years

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Another Word For Surveillance - Part 9

Pairing: Bucky x Reader Summary: You asked Bucky out. He said no. Cool. How do you move on? You don't. Notes & Warnings:

DNI if under 18 | Fluff, swearing, canon typical violence, some angst, lotsa pining, sexual content

I don’t give permission for my work to be copied/reposted/translated anywhere.

Word Count: 4K+

Series Chapters || Masterlist

Another Word For Surveillance - Part Nine

Sometimes there’s a chill, nothing unusual, this being New York after all. Steve’s birthday would come in a few weeks and it would still be too warm to wear anything thicker than a three-year old hoodie, but Bucky welcomed the icy air at night.

He retreated to the balcony, stepping out into the night barefoot, with only sweatpants on, messy hair down because he managed to lose another hair tie. From somewhere in the apartment, Steve wondered aloud if they were finally getting old, because Bucky ventured out half-naked and Steve’s knees registered the drop in the temperature.

Bucky ignored his friend’s rambling. He would stand outside until the chill tickled. It traveled from the center of his forehead, crossing his skull to the base of his neck, making the hair on his arm stand.

His chest tightened. The cold triggered a eerily similar response to being strapped to a chair while a handful of weary strangers, staring down at Bucky with a detached, almost empty look. They had as much life in them as Bucky’s left arm. They entered the room in single file before surrounding him to start the procedure. Adrenaline kicked in. Bucky was ready to fight, without knowing why.

He didn’t remember how long it took to shock a man’s brain into forgetting days and weeks of killing sprees, but Bucky had seen HYDRA footage of the procedure. That’s how he knew spaghetti boiled faster than a mad scientist can fiddle with someone’s memories. His head always felt like an overcooked noodle after the procedure. Mushed.

Bucky remembered the icy pulse that started between his eyes, just behind the sockets, he supposed. How far deep into his skull didn’t matter, it went deep enough to cause short term memory loss didn’t it? The slow pulse grew into a wave washing over his cranium, crashing into the base of his neck, where the head and spine connected.

These days he could summon the sensation with little effort when it was cold enough. He stood in the balcony with clenched fists, hanging on to the feeling as long as possible.

Not because he relished his time as a robot, a wooden puppet on invisible strings, but one that could hurt and bleed. By some strange circumstance, or maybe it’s his body finally forgiving him - the chill that used to trigger his fight or flight response felt the same as the rush he felt when you touched him.

And this time, he didn’t want to escape it.

He sought it out. He sought you out.

So even when he was supposed to be the compound’s designated cranky senior citizen, the sullen new arrival, Steve’s dark shadow - Bucky let you bully him into tasting the rubbery monstrosity called Gummy Bears the day you met. He dressed up for silly work events because you asked him to. He cleaned up the language on his reports because “we get it, Steve’s an overripe grape with a deathwish, but the feds - they don’t appreciate poetry like you and I do.”

You weren’t supposed to make him feel a little light-headed, borderline giddy, whenever you gave him a puzzled smile.

Bucky didn’t do “life goals,” at least not like most people. He was content with not being a prisoner of war.

He can’t remember wanting something so bad that he didn’t know what to do about it and now he found himself in the most fortunate position of liking a person so much, he couldn’t really think straight. It made him bungle opportunities and worse - made you doubt your place at the top of his priorities.

He’s lived long enough to know life wasn’t meant to be black and white. Nothing was guaranteed. But lately he wondered with increasing frequency, maybe - you were it.

It’s a truth lodged in his throat whenever he saw you, and sometimes he could only manage a quiet nod because he’s awe-struck by you, by the gravity of his feelings, and if he could only manage to put these thoughts and feelings into words, maybe he wouldn’t be in so much trouble. And misery.

The tragedy was that the simplest of things are often the hardest to explain.

Bucky exhaled into the night, his breath coming up as silvery clouds before his eyes. The faint whirring sounds from his metal hand comforted him. He looked at the dark sky and wondered if it was better to take the bike instead of a car tonight.

“Steve!” The carpet warmed his feet the second he stepped back in. Bucky slid the balcony doors shut, sensing the cold air vanish instantly. “I’m going out!”

“You’re gonna be late.” Steve looked up from a three by three grid of post-its on the dining room table. He stood over his laptop with crossed arms. “Maybe throw a shirt on too?”

“I’ll take the bike.”

“And I hear shoes do a good job of covering feet,” Steve’s attention returned to his notes. “Still gonna be late,” he mumbled as an afterthought.

“Not if I don’t drive like you,” Bucky hollered over his shoulder, laughing at Steve flipping him off.

The mid-week VA meetings rarely gathered over six people, which was why Bucky preferred going on Wednesdays instead of Saturdays. The large crowds didn’t bother him anymore but the interactions seemed more relaxed with only a few people huddled around him.

Nothing extraordinary happened apart from the majestic nature of the sun rising and setting weeks in a row or maybe he was just more inclined to be forthcoming in warmer weather, but Bucky started opening up about his nightmares after a handful of sessions. He skipped the really scary details (these would be classified information anyway), focusing on feelings and outcomes instead. No one else would have a story about waking up with a Soviet Union-era metal arm, but fighting cold sweats, becoming short tempered, and lashing out at the people who least deserve it because fear and anger had to go somewhere - that was a fairly common experience not only with vets but people in general, Bucky discovered.

But mostly, he liked listening. Sandy once suffered a panic attack in the middle of his eight-year old’s ballet recital. PJ decided to learn Farsi. Eddie Elbow dreaded his upcoming surgery, his third this year.

As for Bucky - he used to have really bad dreams.

About botched surgeries. Attaching the metal prosthetic took multiple operations by doctors who didn’t necessarily have experience soldering metal into flesh.

About feeling someone’s pulse racing before plummeting into a half-beat against his thumb and in his dreams the Winter Soldier never let go until that half-beat lulls into nothing. When the Soldier finally released the neck, the body folded onto the floor without ceremony, and never neatly.

He got used to these dreams over time.

Then he met someone amazing. Of course his nightmares became rare but worse. Bucky woke with a bitter gut, like he had a hole in his stomach. He’s had a few of those, but once he reached the hospital, internal bleeding was someone else’s problem. When he dreamt about feral HYDRA agents locking you up in a bunker overseas, Bucky carried the toxic fear around until he’s ready to let it go.

And in his dreams he always seemed powerless to save you.

Bucky’s acid reflux only got worse.

The VA gang wasn’t troubled by this. Eddie Elbow said everyone had nightmares involving friends and family. He kept his eyes on his wonky limb as he spoke. “You worry about someone. Congratulations for being a decent human being.”

The group grunted in agreement.

Bucky was never going to be a smooth talker - not now, not after a hundred of these meetings - but he was learning how a three-minute anecdote about having to leave the house for the first time in days because the milk had gone bad was part of the healing process.

It’s not about the action, Sam told him. Action and follow through are important. But so is introspection and sharing. “You’re not a machine. We just like calling you Cyborg Man.”

So Bucky talked when he felt like it. And he listened in solidarity.

The evening group session concluded, and he enjoyed the brisk walk around the back of the building, thankful for the crisp air. His nose felt the chill as he tugged on his sleeves.

Your name flashed on the screen seconds after he took his phone off airplane mode and Bucky swiped before he remembered that texting back within seconds was needy.

Haha didn’t quite convey the pitter-pattering in his chest but Bucky replied to the cat meme anyway.

Since your teary-eyed confession the night he sneaked out of the hospital, Bucky knew he had to work against the clock. Not because you could suddenly just decide to walk away, or that you could run into someone who was slightly more capable of telling you things like, you smelled nice (Bucky’s favorite scents rolled into one person, and when you rest your head against him, he could breathe you in and nothing else mattered that moment.)

He had to move fast because you didn’t deserve it. The self-doubt. The sorrow. The loneliness, maybe, that came with Bucky’s half-assed excuses.

It’s not like he wasn’t sure about his feelings for you. He risked infection, not to mention Steve’s wrath when he walked out of a secure hospital wing and dragged his semi-drugged self to your apartment just to see you.

You were his entire guest list. He scrawled your name on a form quickly, before he lost his nerve, and handed it back to the security personnel arranging access to their residence. You could come to his room at night without setting off Stark’s million-dollar security system and set Bucky’s books on fire.

(He also had opinions about better things for you to do if you ever decided you wanted to slip into his room.)

Yeah, he was serious about you. Winter Soldier dead serious, and even Steve wasn’t going to laugh at that analogy.

Making you believe this without a shred of doubt was Bucky’s mission.

Importing limited screen edition chocolate from halfway around the world was child’s play. He saw your browser from across the table during a meeting and it only took him one call to find someone who can ship a month’s supply to New York.

A couple of days ago, he convinced Sam, Wanda, and Scott to join the business contingency exercise you were running this year before you even had to request help to round up volunteers.

“Sam’s not pulling my leg right?” You doubled-back when you ran into Bucky outside the office. He was on his way out, and you followed him to the sidewalk.

“Pardon me?” He scratched his head for effect.

“Remember the thing I was doing, the BCP drill for staff? You have to practically pay people to do it but slots filled up after Sam and Wanda signed up.” You tapped his left forearm and even the Vibranium sensors knew how much of a thrill that was. “Hey - you want to volunteer too?”

“Uh, it’s probably not my thing.” He replied slowly. “The talking to people, you know. So I-“ Bucky shook his head.

He didn’t know why he couldn’t just reveal he got his friends to help you. God forbid it made Bucky sound like a nice guy. Someone who cared. Deeply. Probably too much for his own good. About you.

“There has to be something else I can help with,” he recovered quickly.

When your face brightened up, he knew he was about to be roped into doing you a favor. “We could get coffee and donuts for the volunteers?”

Bucky was pretty sure Steve needed him to comb through a stack of files and hours of footage that weekend. “You got it.”

“Perfect.” You reached for his jacket sleeve and swung it back and forth absent-mindedly.

Bucky couldn’t bring himself to look away from your joyful eyes, or mention that this was an outright breach of the no-contact rule - you haven’t spoken about it for days but he assumed it was still very much in effect.

He was late for a meeting with Stark, but he’d endure an entire afternoon of snide remarks about punctuality for a few more minutes of this, standing next to you, wearing a goofy grin because you looked at him like nothing else existed.

He was crest-fallen when you dropped his arm though.

“It was you.” Realization settled on your face, Bucky felt somewhat smug about being able to read your expressions.

He raised his brows.

“You bribed Sam to volunteer.”

“I can’t make that man do anything he doesn’t want to.”

You crossed your arms but the curl around your lips was encouraging. “You’re up to something.”

Bucky exhaled. “Am I?” He crossed his arms, mimicking your position.

You shifted your gaze back to his face, determined not to be distracted. You cleared your throat. “That doesn’t- I don’t- Bucky…” Your voice trailed as you thought you lost control of the situation.

“Hmmm?” He took a couple of steps back, giving you another nod before turning around.

“Nothing!” You replied as he began to walk away.

Bucky chuckled. You’d demand a straight answer from him when you were ready and able to believe he was not going anywhere. Until then, he’d happily wait and do the things that left you momentarily speechless or mutter “You didn’t have to Bucky.” The smile you fought to contain told him he absolutely would be doing these small gestures for you again and again.

Things were going well to a large extent but Bucky was all too aware about the parts of him that were not as ecstatic about your renewed friendship characterized by emotional vulnerability from a distance of too damn far for a kiss.

Sam called it Bucky’s Labors, not because he studied English literature in college but because he had better manners than Steve who called the distinct lack of action Bucky’s Blue Balls.

Bucky wasn’t going to admit his suffering, but all this time apart - physically - only seemed to make him more attuned to your presence.

Just the other day, he instinctively turned to the grassy area on the way to the hangars.

“Who’s that?” Sam squinted across the field. He clocked the pout Bucky thought he was not doing.

The running path connecting Grids 3 and 4 offered a view of your favorite bench. You paced around it, gesturing wildly, phone on one hand, bowl of Skittles on the other.

Sam stopped walking and glanced at Bucky. “Are we coming ‘round to say hi?”

“No.” Bucky was being petulant, he’d admit to that. He could practically hear you start to speak, edit your thoughts mid-sentence, and keep rambling until you figured out what you wanted to say to whoever it was on the other line.

He watched you from the other side of the field torn between taking up Sam’s suggestion and Bucky’s wounded ego.

Why weren’t your senses telling you that Bucky, the love of your life, or so he hoped, stood right here?

“No.” He repeated more for his benefit than Sam’s.

“Man are you two still pretending the other idiot has playground cooties?”

Bucky wasn’t even going to acknowledge that.

It’s been over a month since you returned from DC and since then Bucky had been in such physical agony, he couldn’t even remember who thought keeping a respectable distance from each other would be a good idea.

It amused both of you for a few days - having to sit across each other during meetings and making sure you were never alone with each other. Not in a meeting room. Not in an elevator. Not even in the hallway. Bucky couldn’t even completely guarantee he won’t make a move if he found you alone in the parking lot at high noon.

Technically he could give you a hug but then he’d want to kiss the top of your head, and it drove him crazy because you cooed into him, right on his collarbone, a sound so hushed and muffled maybe you weren’t even aware you did it, but it happened often enough in the past for Bucky to be quite certain you liked forehead kisses very much.

And he was happy to oblige. Always. Except he couldn't stop at the forehead. He would not.

Which brought him to this. No kissing. No touching. These were rules he must follow. Rules he had to abide by if he wanted to keep his promise to you.

Bucky was dying and this was worse than when he got shot all those 78 other times. And he didn’t just need the release - as a male of his species in peak physical condition, he had no trouble dealing with base urges in the privacy of the apartment or during a hot shower at the gym.

He felt empty and his dick hated him.

But when you gave him a lingering, intrigued look whenever he did something for you or generally made an effort at work, that made you smile and it was all he needed to survive and keep going.

There was that time he swung by your desk to let you know he’s going on a two-day mission to the Mediterranean. He didn’t mean to sound like he needed your permission to go, but as previously established, he was never going on another op again if things weren’t fine between the two of you - anyway, his focus is sharper when he can picture you peering up at him with mischievous eyes that he’d like to think was only for him.

Bucky cleared his throat. He promised to text you while he was away. You gave him assorted bite-sized chocolate snacks in a zip lock baggie the next day.

Steve made quick work of the candy but your cheerful albeit lopsided grin as you waved Bucky away with his bag of sweets stayed with him. It kept him warm in the Quinjet and it kept him cool when he was tempted to drive his fist through someone’s face.

He texted you up until the crew had to go radio silent and by the time he could message again, Bucky had a dozen of photos and messages to send you.

He assumed he’d run out of things to tell you eventually. He didn’t. There was always something suspicious happening in Florida and Steve would predictably get into trouble for being himself. Now and then Bucky had a nightmare. He spared you the details but you would ask a second time - never more than that - with a patient look, and he found himself telling you anyway. Broad strokes - you didn’t need minute details. You just wanted him to get it off his chest.

It’s fascinating, this perpetual mental hard on for you. Bucky was dying and feeling very much alive at the same time.

Admittedly he may have been thinking with Not His Brain when he tailed you to the First Resort one evening. Forty-two days since he brought the new screen to your apartment and left with his brain congratulating him for heading out the moment things became a little too intense, and his lower half threatening to kick his ass for heading out the moment things became a little too intense.

He would never stalk you. Not like this. But when he ran into you at work - Bucky had to grab you by the arms to stop you from slamming into him, much as he’d love that - you only blinked at him like you didn’t recall that Bucky knew where to touch if he wanted your absolute full cooperation.

That would not do. Bucky casually glanced at the stretch of hallway behind you, in case of any masked assassins in pursuit. “What’s the rush Sweets?”

More blinking. A few more seconds, and then the color returned to your cheeks, the happy tiny smile reserved for Bucky appeared.

“What happened to the no-touching rule?”

Answering a question with a question. Now that’s classic Sweets. His Sweets. Maybe.

He raised both hands in surrender. It didn’t seem like the best time to make idle chat, not while Claire openly watched from twenty feet away. Bucky never had a lot of willpower when it came to physical contact with you. “Can I shoot whoever came up with that? Just on the foot.”

Your laughter was music.

“I’m serious.”

“Surely not about shooting yourself on the foot.”

“I’m serious,” Bucky insisted.

You both knew it wasn’t about anybody’s foot. A frown replaced the amused twinkle and your mind was off to another universe again and Bucky did not presume he could follow.

He exhaled slowly. “You ok?” There was a wayward strand on your forehead he warned himself to ignore.

You nodded but your gaze was already on Claire. “I have to ah - CC’s evil eye is like - so I should… but I’ll come find you? We’re probably due one of those talks huh?” Your eyes flicked back to Bucky and when your knuckle grazed his sleeve, Bucky’s heart stopped. At that moment you were back with him.

He gulped and nodded once.

With smiling eyes, you turned and walked over to your friend.

“You ok?” He asked again. You weren’t the only one who got to ask a second time.

You gave him a thumbs up instead.

He watched Claire guide you back to your seat. How was he not going to be interested in whatever it was you didn’t want to tell him?

So yeah. He got on the bike and followed you to the bar when he caught you leaving the building alone half an hour after running into each other.

You took your usual seat by the window, right by the neon lights that would always remind him about his biggest regret - choking the first time you asked him out. You spun the bottle clockwise instead of drinking from it. Bucky waited to see if you were meeting someone but after a while, he got bored of watching you stare through your beer.

He entered from the back of the bar, making a mental note to talk to Happy about the ease with which he was able to breeze through the staff entrance.

“Hi.”

You looked up with wide eyes. “Uh - hey.” Then you gave him that smile. The one meant for him. “So you-“

“I followed you, yeah.” Bucky looked around the bar. “Are you expecting company?”

“Not really.”

The knot in his shoulders relaxed. “Can I - can I sit?”

You gave him a funny look. “You gonna buy me a beer Buck? Doesn’t that violate Chapter Four Section Three of the Field Surveillance Handbook? What’s the book called?”

Bucky wanted to wipe the sarcasm off your face using his face. “You don’t seem to want beer right now.” He nodded at your barely touched drink. “And you’re not under surv-“

“You just admitted you followed me here.”

“Can’t a guy walk into a bar and pretend to run into you?”

You drummed your fingers. After a few seconds, you took a long drink, never taking your eyes off him.

Bucky was transfixed.

“Not James Barnes, no,” you replied, setting the bottle down to punctuate your statement.

“No?” He raised a brow. Bucky thought about how he had all the time in the world to rehearse what to say before slipping in through the back of the bar and plopping himself across you like your entire non-relationship with him did not start with him refusing to get a beer with you.

Now he couldn’t quite figure out how to inform you that yes, he ditched a security briefing with a four-star general because he wanted to know if you were ok.

And he missed you.

And he liked you. Fucking idiot.

You finished your beer without breaking eye contact. In the back of his mind, Bucky knew this silly back and forth only fanned flames and what he should be doing was keep things steady, and give you as much time you needed to come around and see he wasn’t playing around.

“Let me get the next round.” He slipped out of the booth before you could protest.

Your mood seemed to improve by the time he returned with a couple of beers. You asked about his day and why the Grid 2 fields were overrun with weeds. Bucky launched into the details of the larger blade he installed on the mower and how he convinced the landscaping team to leave the grass alone for a couple of weeks so he could test the design.

”You stopped making sense at… three-blade motor… something.” Your expression was deadpan but you continued to ask about the prototype.

He asked about your childhood, fishing for happy memories and watching your eyes darken momentarily at the thought of your brother, before lighting up as you recalled childhood pranks and family trips that made you think fondly of road trips and the smell of sunscreen and saltwater.

Two rounds became three, and quickly four after you knocked over your bottle while laughing at Bucky’s terribly accurate Steve Rogers impersonation. Whatever it was that had you worried, Bucky could tell from the carefree toss of your hair and how you angled your body toward him the entire time, you had set it aside to focus on the present.

You nudged the empty bottle to the middle of the table. “It’s late.”

Bucky nodded. He finished his beer and set the bottle down, almost clinking against yours, but not quite.

Both of you remained seated.

He hummed over the gentle clicking of his metal wrist. You watched him flex his arm and then blushed when he caught you staring with unabashed interest.

“I know where we can grab a decent slice at this hour.” The words tumbled out. Bucky held his breath.

From his peripheral view, he saw you lean closer to him. “Yeah?”

Your curious tone encouraged him. “You can’t tell anyone else.” Bucky raised an eyebrow, daring you to come with him, to make the night last a little longer.

He stood up without waiting for your reply, more out of jitters than confidence. Is it working, he wondered.

Or has the past few weeks been for nothing?

Bucky didn’t get a response but he heard you scramble out of the booth and in a couple of seconds you were right behind him. He felt the movement from a foot away, your boots creating a muffled squeak.

Hope stirred in his core.

Find the other parts here.

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