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declareqenius · 1 month

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all the ashes in my wake

summary: part two of "some would sing and some would scream". wanda and natasha have several heated conversations while they wait for you to wake up. it's been days and both of them miss hearing your voice, and they know the last thing you would want to see is them fighting, but wanda can't help tearing into natasha for everything that happened. natasha's guilt eats away at her.

warnings: mentions of the violence in pt 1, coma

a/n: guys i really just wanted to get this one out. i haven't read through it/edited it so any mistakes are... well, mistakes. but hey! we get wanda in this one! i feel like i could have gone a little darker as far as wandanat are concerned, but we do what we can! i hope you enjoy!

The infirmary room is cold and sterile and a heaviness settles over the exhausted woman. Wanda keeps hold of your hand as if letting it go means that you'll slip away for good. She's careful of the IV stuck in the back of your hand giving you fluids. In a way, it serves as a reminder that blood still flows through your veins and your heart still beats, and that even though your bright smile and musical laugh don't fill the room, you're still alive.

Wanda brushes a stray strand of hair behind your ear. She doesn't know how many times she has done that in the past three days, but the gesture comforts her. Tucking your hair behind your ear so she can see your beautiful face better and looking into your sparkling eyes is one of her favorite things to do. Your gaze holds so much love and adoration and it always makes her wish she would never have to live without it.

Your eyes are closed now.

Wanda hates every second of it.

Bruce said that even if you don't respond that you can still hear everything. Wanda trusts that he's telling the truth and it wasn't something he said just to make her feel better.

So she talks to you. About anything and everything she can think of. Your favorite TV show that is on the air right now or the book that you recommended and she finally read. How much she loves you and how she can't wait for you to wake up. How sorry she is that she wasn't there sooner. She makes promises that she intends to uphold. Ones about revenge and torture and everything you would hate and tell her not to worry about were you conscious. Wanda smiles at the thought. She won't listen, though. The Celestials hurt her family. Hurt the love of her life. She can't let that go unanswered for.

Right now, though, you are her priority.

The door handle clicks and Wanda doesn't need to look up. She knows it's Natasha coming back from telling Steve and Yelena what happened. Can feel the exhaustion and guilt dripping from her without having to so much as glance in her direction.

"Wands-"

"I don't want to talk to you right now, Natalia. Sit."

Wanda nods to the unoccupied chair on the other side of the bed without taking her eyes off of you. She's being harsh and she knows it. Natasha was there with you. Right by your side. Made to watch as the leader of their enemies hurt you in the most sloppily calculated way. She was powerless against Najma and Wanda knows this, but all rationality left her when she burst into the cell and laid eyes on your bleeding body, slumped over, barely an ounce of life in you, and her anger nearly consumed her.

She almost leveled the entire block.

The only thing that stopped her was Natasha, carrying you in her arms, reminding her that time was scarce.

So yes, perhaps she is being too harsh with her wife, but somehow you had become their entire lives. Their reason for being. Neither of them would know what to do without you, and they came very close to losing you under Natasha's watch.

They will be okay eventually. They survived many fights and many arguments before you came along.

Tears form in Wanda's eyes.

"Yelena is wondering when she'll be able to see Y/N." Natasha's voice breaks the silence. It's rough and scratchy.

"After she wakes up."

Four words and Wanda can feel how they form on her tongue. Her Sokovian accent is thick with her anger and distress despite the words being spoken soft and firm.

"Wanda," Natasha starts to protest but the finality in her wife's tone makes her go quite.

"Nat."

It's then that Wanda decides to look up at Natasha. Decides to let her wife see her and every emotion that makes its way onto her face and every thought that swirls around in her mind.

Natasha pauses for a moment, taken aback by everything she sees her wife going through. The made-up scenarios. The what-ifs. She knows because she went through every last one of them when she was in that cell with you. To see the same thoughts cluttering Wanda's mind, well, it only makes her guilt worse.

She clears her throat, "Yelena is her best friend."

It comes out as more of a fact than an argument.

At that, Wanda turns her attention back to you, "I don't want anyone except for us and Bruce to see her like this. They don't need to."

"They want to know that she's okay, Wands."

"Tell them that she is. That she will be. That's all they need to know for right now. They need to focus on getting the jump on Najma and the Celestials. Our focus is Y/N. I think our family is capable enough to come up with a plan by themselves, don't you?"

Wanda's calmness is starting to make Natasha uncomfortable and she shifts in her chair. She refuses to touch you, though, afraid of what might happen if she did. Would your body crumble under her fingertips? If you were conscious would your body recoil at her touch? For letting you get hurt. For not protecting you like she should have.

Suddenly streams of tears silently make their way down Natasha's cheeks.

"I'm sorry I let this happen."

Wanda's eyes meet hers again and Natasha feels like she can breathe a little easier. It isn't perfect and she guesses it won't be perfect for a long time, but time will help. The fear will linger within both of them because Natasha knows Wanda almost as well as she knows herself, and she knows that neither of them will be letting you out of their sight for a while after you wake up. Until Najma is taken care of, at least.

Wanda tilts her head as she tries to get a better read on Natasha without using her powers. Even if they would help in the moment she has rules for herself: never on Natasha and never on you.

"They caught you off guard. It is a hard position to be in, radnaja."

Darling. The pet name helps Natasha relax a little more, but her hands stay folded in her lap.

"We needed- I needed to protect her better. We promised to keep her safe and I couldn't do that, Wands. I failed her and I disappointed you and... and what if she decides to leave when she wakes up? I would be the reason we came so close to losing her... and then to actually lose her? I don't know if we could survive it."

"Nat... Y/N loves us with everything she is. Just as we love her. I need you to be confident in that."

Natasha wants to scoff but instead she fidgets with her hands, "Confident? In what, Wanda? That she'll wake up and we'll pretend everything is fine and that we're not the reason she almost fucking died?! That the two people she loves most in the world couldn't protect her like they promised they would? I was powerless Wanda! I couldn't stop them! I-" Natasha's tears flow freely and although the tension in the room is building, she feels safe enough to let herself go in the presence of her wife, "I couldn't save her!"

"Natalia Romanova-Maximoff!" Wanda stands for the first time in hours but she does not drop your hand. It's the only thing grounding her right now. "This is not entirely your fault, radnaja. Maybe if you would have kicked and punched more when they took you then we would be in a different position. Maybe if you had given Najma the answers she was looking for then Y/N wouldn't have been injured as badly as she is but these are all what-ifs, Natasha! What if I had been there with her instead? What if I had been with both of you that night? What if I would have gotten to you sooner? What if she had died!"

Finally, the question that has been on both of their minds since Bruce had walked into the meeting room with your blood all over his neatly ironed button up and jeans- he didn't have time to even think about putting his lab coat on- and told them that you would eventually be okay.

"I have been asking myself that question every day for the past three days," Wanda finishes, salt on her tongue, nose red, and her scarlet hoodie stained with tears.

Natasha cannot find it within herself to tell her wife the new information Bruce gave her in the meeting. While he operated and stitched until he could barely stand any longer; you flatlined once. Your heart decided to give up for a minute and Natasha hasn't had the proper amount of time to process something like that, but the time would never come for Wanda to be able to process the reality of such a thing.

Both women stare down at you with puffy eyes and red noses. You are the most precious thing in the world to them. They hate seeing you so lifeless, and the only wave of hope keeping them afloat is your steady breaths.

The fight has left both of them, but an air of tension remains. They are nowhere near finished with their conversation. With taking their frustrations out. Hopefully they'll have everything figured out before you wake up. Natasha knows how much you hate playing peacemaker when they actually have fights and really get going at each other, but she also knows that her wife can hold a grudge.

She doesn't think Wanda will actually hold a grudge after you wake up, but for now her anger and grief towards Natasha are the only things emotionally anchoring her to reality.

"I miss her, Wands," Natasha sniffs and wipes the tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand.

"Me too, Natalia. Me too."

They sit in silence for a minute, taking everything in. There are no windows in the room and during the day that means zero sunlight. You always say that time in the sun is one of the most important parts of your daily routine, and it always helps you cool down when you're stressed out or in a bad mood.

Natasha is the first to break the silence, speaking directly to you.

"You are going to hate this room so much when you wake up, detka," she muses with the smallest smile.

Wanda only glances at her before turning her attention back to you and sitting down in her chair, trapped in her mind just as Natasha is, but not all hope is lost and for that, the older woman is grateful.

"Believe it or not, she was the calm one. During everything."

"Natasha."

Her name is said softly although there is still a warning behind it, but she needs this and she believes that Wanda does too. Even if she doesn't know it yet.

"Please, Wanda."

Wanda just sighs and nods, never taking her eyes off of you.

"Najma had me struggling within ten minutes. Begged her to take me instead and to let Y/N go. I don't know why I thought it would work, but I think I just wanted Y/N to know that even if I couldn't get us out of there in that moment... I was trying. I would keep trying."

Natasha's voice is still scratchy as her exhaustion slowly catches up with her.

"Y/N was so firm with me. She said not to tell Najma anything and she meant it. I don't think I've ever heard her be that direct before, but she left no room for argument. She knew what the information would do to the family because she... she sees us as her family, Wands." The redhead sniffs and wipes at her eyes when her tears return, making a prominent trail down her cheeks.

"We are all she has left and she means the world to us! And... and I let her down so much. So, so much, Wanda. She stayed so calm! She did so good! She talked to Najma. She had a conversation with the woman who had a knife to her cheek!" Natasha's laugh is reserved, but her features are shock-ridden and amazed, bordering on flabbergasted and anxiety-filled.

Wanda finally looks up at her wife. Natasha is starting to spiral and there is no way to stop it other than just letting her get it all out, so the Sokovian keeps listening to and watching her wife. The recount of events is told with animated hand gestures and tears gliding down Natasha's cheeks, and Wanda's heart clenches.

"We were doing so well. She was doing so well. Then, Najma stabbed her and my heart dropped. I thought it was over. I thought we had lost her for good." The hand gestures come to an abrupt halt and the tension in the room is once again palpable, but not so much as before.

Natasha looks down at you with pleading eyes, "Please forgive me, malyshka," she drops to both knees and finally takes your hand in hers and whispers, "please."

She kisses the back of your hand delicately and you can feel each tear drop as they land in the exact spot she kissed. There is no need to wonder why your girlfriend is crying. You remember everything.

Your eyes slowly blink open to see Natasha's own eyes closed and Wanda staring at her wife with a thoughtful expression. The love they have for each other makes you want to smile, but the urge to reassure your sobbing mob boss girlfriend wins.

"I..." talking hurts but you need to say the words. Natasha needs to know! "Forgive... you. Always... Natty."

#wandanat x reader #some would sing and some would scream #some of you might be mad about the ending #HOWEVER #nat needed that so badly guys #reader will play peacemaker eventually i promise

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callsignhoney · 2 years

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being maverick’s daughter ➤

pairing(s) ➤ pete “maverick” mitchell x daughter!reader , bradley “rooster” bradshaw x sister!reader

your number one role in this dysfunctional family?

peacemaker

for years you desperately tried to play peacemaker between your two boys

when you were little, it was you, your dad, bradley, & aunt carole

through thick & thin, you were with each other through everything

even after your aunt carole died & bradley moved in with you, it was your little family against the world

you had mav & bradley wrapped around your little finger since before you could talk

carole would always tease them about it

(carole) you two are pathetic

(mav & bradley, attending your tea party with butterfly clips in their hair & glitter smudged on their faces) get out

you could get them to do anything for you

bradley would play any game you wanted

mav would take you anywhere you wanted to go

but then mav went & pulled bradley’s papers from the naval academy for whatever reason & ruined what you had

bradley never forgave maverick until the uranium plant mission, but for you he would tolerate being around maverick

he came to your high school graduation & would come home for holidays when he could

but despite your best efforts, their relationship remained strained

no matter how much bradley insisted he didn’t need them, you still gave him updates on not just yourself but your dad too

it was your small way of refusing to let him cut your dad out of his life fully

you have always been your dad’s #1 fan

anything he was doing you wanted to know about

missions, projects, prototypes, you were always down to listen to him talk

you had always been a smart kid

one time in high school he was talking to you about some problem they were having & you rattled off some electrical knowledge that just fully fixed whatever it was

he knows he can always go to you for a fresh perspective

you got a full ride to mit & he was never prouder

you went for aviation engineering

your dad made it to your college graduation but bradley was deployed

you did still get a flower delivery the morning of & a phone call the next day from him

unsurprisingly, you did eventually join the navy as an engineer

the roles were reversed for your basic graduation bc bradley could make it but your dad was on a mission of some sort

the other girls in your unit were like “hey l/n who’s this?” & you were like “my brother bye” & dragged him off bc you weren’t keen on letting anyone share the time you had with him

you weren’t really that protective of bradley, you just didn’t want to lose him any more than you already had when things fell apart with him & your dad

HOWEVER

bradley is insanely protective of you

he will cut in in like .3 seconds anytime anyone is flirting w you

doesn’t matter if you were flirting back or not

it’s not happening

(some rando at a bar) can i buy you a drink?

(you) that’d be nice—

(bradley) Y/N THERE YOU ARE I’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU COME WITH ME OVER HERE YEP WAY OVER HERE LET’S GO

literally squared up against hangman when he tried flirting w you in the hard deck

do not test him

that shit ain’t happening

no way in hell

you’re a sneaky little thing & kept tabs on the two of them during the training for the uranium plant mission even though it’s supposed to be top secret

hondo was your man on the inside

when mav told you he was made team leader, you just told him to be careful & look after bradley

(mav) i’ll bring him home

(you) bring both of you home. promise me.

(mav) i promise

they came home to you arms around each other & you were just like “oh thank fuck finally” & ran to hug them super tight

you were finally a family again after the mission

if you ever have children, they will be the most treasured little humans on the planet earth

if you get married, whoever you marry is going to have the hardest time getting both of your boys’ stamps of approval

idk who you are if you think they both wouldn’t cry at you wedding

they both would

bradley would give some bs excuse like “i’m allergic to the flowers you decided on” when you know he’s not allergic to them

just a discordant little navy family

you love each other dearly

you will not be letting either of them get away from you again

#top gun #top gun maverick #top gun x reader #top gun maverick x reader #bradley bradshaw #bradley bradshaw x reader #bradley rooster bradshaw #pete mitchell #pete maverick mitchell #pete mitchell x reader #maverick x reader #rooster x reader #top gun fanfic #top gun fic #top gun fanfiction #top gun maverick fic #top gun maverick fanfic #top gun maverick fanfiction

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south-of-heaven · 9 months

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Charlynch x reader (heel Becky ig)

Beckys just stormed backstage and she’s angry after her match,she’s not thinking straight and snaps at reader,reader gets really scared and upset and that’s when Charlotte comes backstage,she calms down Becky and cheers up reader then they all help each other and cuddle

Snap || Becky Lynch x Reader x Charlotte Flair

Summary: Becky snaps at you after losing her match. You get upset and Charlotte has to play peacemaker.

The tension in the arena was palpable as the match came to an end, leaving Becky visibly frustrated. As the crowd roared around you, you immediately rushed backstage, concern etching your features. You knew Becky's fiery temper well, but you also knew that behind it all was a vulnerable side that needed comfort.

"Becks, hey," you called gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

Her response was swift, a snap that caught you off guard. "Can you go back in time and make sure I win that match? No? Then just leave me alone."

The anger in her voice was unexpected, and it stung. Your eyes widened, and without another word, you hurriedly turned and headed towards the locker room. Alone, your emotions threatened to spill over, a mix of hurt and confusion clouding your thoughts.

Unbeknownst to you, Charlotte had witnessed the scene from a distance. Concerned for both you and Becky, she approached her girlfriend with a no-nonsense attitude.

"Becky, what the hell was that?" Charlotte's tone held a hint of frustration as she confronted her fellow wrestler.

Becky sighed, her anger deflating slightly under Charlotte's stern gaze. "I know, I shouldn't have snapped like that. It's just... I'm so pissed at myself right now."

Charlotte's expression softened. "I get it. We all have our bad days. But you can't take it out on the people who care about you."

She guided Becky away from the bustling backstage area, leading her to a quieter corner. Their conversation was intense, but eventually, you saw them both heading towards the locker room you all shared.

As they entered, you looked up, your eyes meeting Charlotte's. The tension in the room was palpable, but Charlotte's reassuring smile offered some solace. You sat in a corner, still feeling the sting of Becky's earlier outburst.

Charlotte gave Becky a pointed look before turning to you. "Hey, come here." She opened her arms, inviting you into a comforting hug.

Tears welled up in your eyes as you nestled into Charlotte's embrace. She held you tightly, offering the comfort that you desperately needed. Becky lingered awkwardly at the doorway, regret evident in her demeanor.

Finally, Charlotte released you from the hug, her gaze shifting between you and Becky. "Becky, you need to talk to her."

Becky hesitated before taking a deep breath and stepping forward. "I'm so sorry, lass. I shouldn't have snapped at you. It's just that... I was angry at myself and I took it out on you."

You wiped a tear away, meeting Becky's eyes. "I get it, Becky. But you don't have to go through things alone. We're here for you."

Becky looked ashamed as she nodded. "I know, and I shouldn't have pushed you away."

The tension began to ease, replaced by a sense of understanding. Charlotte smiled, content with the progress. "Alright, we're all good now. How about we get out of our gear and head back to the hotel?"

Becky nodded and you waited as her and Charlotte changed out of their wrestling attire. The hotel room felt like a sanctuary, a place where emotions could be freely shared. As you settled in, cuddled up on the bed with Becky on one side and Charlotte on the other, you felt a sense of unity.

Becky leaned over to press a gentle kiss against your forehead, her expression softening. "I'm really sorry, love. I promise, next time, I won't let my temper get the best of me."

You offered her a small smile. "And I promise to be here for you, no matter what."

Charlotte wrapped an arm around your shoulder, drawing both you and Becky closer. "See? We've got each other's backs."

As the evening unfolded, laughter and warmth filled the room. Cuddles turned into shared stories, and affectionate kisses were exchanged. In the end, you all found solace in each other's company, the bond between you stronger than any momentary frustration.

#wwe fanfiction #wwe x reader #pro wrestling #wwe #wrestling #becky lynch fanfic #becky lynch x reader #becky lynch #big time becks #the man becky lynch #queen charlotte #charlotte flair #charlotte flair x reader #charlynch #charlynch x reader #becky lynch x reader x charlotte flair

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sugarybitterness · 3 years

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teenage dream - natasha romanoff x reader

request; hi!!! idk if you are taking song requests, but could I request some nat x reader based on teenage dream by katy perry??

word count; 1,386

warnings; black widow spoilers!! mentions of past abuse, trauma and experimentation

a/n; tooth rotting fluff bcs i am forever and always soft for natasha romanoff!! hope y’all enjoy this~ feedback is always appreciated <3

i know you get me, so i let my walls come down // you brought me to life

growing up as a hydra experiment meant you had a pretty nonexistent childhood. the team believed that it was your shared lack of childhood that allowed you and natasha to be so close. the team weren’t all wrong, the fact that both of you had a similar past definitely helped you have a deep mutual understanding of each other. but it was also the thrill of it all, because when you were together, you both felt so free, so alive. you felt things for and with natasha that you never even knew the name of.

natasha has seen you at your worst, literally. beaten and close to death in a hydra cell was not the kind of first impression you’d wish to have with anyone. you’ve seen her at her worst too, when she’s so overcome with emotions that her automatic response was to shut down. but you never pushed, you just made sure you were there, ready to give her whatever she needed or wanted. turns out a lot of times she just wanted to be held, your arms were her safe space. both of you had your walls built high but when it was just the two of you, the walls came tumbling down and you knew that no one else would see you like natasha did.

now every february you’ll be my valentine // no regrets, just love

you used to hate february, because it was the month you got adopted by hydra agents with the promise of a family but instead you were made into an experiment. ironically, you were saved on the 14th of february, something you didn’t learn until you were dragged out by natasha to go shopping for a gift for yourself. she explained that she wanted to commemorate the one year mark of you being rescued and joining SHIELD, who were you to say no? as if you could ever say no to natasha to begin with.

you ended up getting your ears pierced and went home with a pair of emerald green gem earrings which reminded you of natasha’s eyes. you never took them off, not until she gave you another pair of earrings a year later, just that it was no longer just the anniversary of you meeting, it was also a valentine’s day gift. it became a trend, for her to get you earrings every year on the 14th of february. except for the one year she pulled out a ring whilst on one knee to propose. of course you said yes, no regrets, no hesitation because it was natasha and when you were with natasha all you could feel was love.

you and i, will be young forever // you make me feel like i’m living a teenage dream

it was safe to say that your inner child came out when with natasha. with the others, you were always hesitant to act out that way in fear of being judged. but for some reason unknown to you, it was never like that with natasha. while the red room took away most of the redhead’s childhood, natasha clung to several memories from her time in ohio or when she was sent undercover for certain missions as child. she knew that unlike her, you were kept in a cell, the most normal thing you experienced was the classes you had with other kids, kids who eventually didn’t survive hydra’s experiments.

so natasha made it a point to do things with you, bringing you to amusement parks, arcades and all the fun things you had missed out on. not only does she enjoy seeing your childlike wonder, being able to bask in such moments of normalcy feels like a dream most days.

let’s run away and don’t ever look back

loud laughter echoed through the halls as you ran away from wanda who was hot on your tail. you had stumbled onto her cuddling into vision, fast asleep whilst the android was watching a sitcom. you had snapped a picture but accidentally left the flash on, so now wanda was chasing you down to get you to delete said picture.

you made a sharp turn and collided straight into natasha who was quick to steady you. when you heard your best friend’s shouts way too close for your liking, you hurried behind natasha, using her as a human shield. wanda rounded the corner and she gulped visibly when she natasha standing there, an amused smile on her face.

“natttt, y/n took an unflattering picture of me!” wanda whined as she glared at you. you rolled your eyes in response.

“it was a cute picture!” you defended yourself, arms snaking around your fiancée’s waist, knowing wanda wouldn’t dare cross the redhead. natasha just shook her head as she prepared to play peacemaker between the two of you, this happened more times than she could count but she also knew you and wanda would go back to normal within a couple hours or so. the two of you always acted like siblings, teasing each other and getting the other riled up.

my heart stops when you look at me

it was finally the day. after months of planning and praying that no alien invasion would disrupt your wedding, you were finally getting married to natasha. it was a simple ceremony, just the two of you and the avengers family as well as natasha’s family. when natasha received the strange red color vials from yelena, she was quick to track down her younger sister. much to the team’s annoyance, natasha insisted that she wanted to do it alone only allowing you to tag along because god knows what you would’ve done if natasha snuck out behind your back. you and yelena became fast friends, and after the red room was properly destroyed she was recruited into the avengers.

now, as clint walked you out of the back door of tony’s lake house to where the ceremony was being held in his backyard, you could’ve sworn your heart stopped in that very moment. natasha was dressed in a beautiful white dress, it was simple and fit her body beautifully. natasha took one look at you and willed herself not to cry, you looked absolutely breathtaking and she couldn’t believe that you were hers.

i finally found you, my missing puzzle piece // i’m complete

the ceremony went smoothly, and now it was time for the vows. natasha gave hers first, and her grip on your hands was tight as she spoke. when she was done, you were quick to pull her hands up to your lips to plant a soft kiss on her knuckles. taking a deep breath, you started on your own vows.

“natasha romanoff, i vow to be with you through all the good and the bad. to be with you at our happiest times and also at our lowest. you saved me all those years ago, at a point in time where i thought that being in a cell was going to be all my future had to offer. you saw something in me that not even i could see, you believed in me when i didn’t even believe myself. everyday, you continue to save me, love me and for that i am so eternally thankful. i finally found the one person that makes life worth living, you’re the one that makes everything make sense, you are my missing puzzle piece. you complete me in a way i never thought plausible. so thank you for never giving up on me and i vow to be with you through it all, to always be with you whenever you need me. to make you your coffee just the way you like it or tea if it’s late and you want to relax. i will always treasure you and love you, thank you for being my everything, for forever and always.”

when the pastor finally pronounced you two as married, you met in a sweet kiss, tears slipping down both your cheeks.

in a lifetime where it felt like love and a life such as this was simply a dream, the two of you found each other and made dreams become a reality.

#natasha romanoff #natasha romanoff x reader #natasha romanoff x you #natasha romanoff fluff #black widow #black widow x reader #black widow x you #black widow fluff #black widow spoilers #marvel #avengers #avengers x reader

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prosperlys1 · 3 years

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Right on Time

Soulmate AU (Kakashi x Reader)

Everyone is born with a timer counting down on their wrist.

Some are born with minutes on their clock. Some with days. Some are born with years. The fourth hokage was known to have about a decade on his watch until he met the Red Hot-Blooded Habanero.

Everyone knows that when your clock reaches zero, you’ll find your soulmate in front of you, with eyes locked on your own.

Kakashi covered his wrist, as much as possible, he avoided looking at it. He couldn’t understand the hype given to these timers. Much more, he couldn’t imagine himself falling in love. No amount of Icha-Icha novels could prepare him for the feeling, in fact, this might explain his obsession for them. These fluttery feelings he would hear from Kurenai when Asuma was beginning to show more than just platonic interest knowing both their timers had hit zero when they met at the academy, the same phenomenon he observes in Sakura as she fawns over Sasuke’s every move knowing they were already fated, were just too foreign for him.

He tries to think back, maybe he would find something similar to it.

He tries to remember the feeling of being carried on Sakumo’s back as he burrows his head with his childhood green scarf, weary after a whole day of training and playing with the other neighborhood kids. His father humming and talking to his quiet five-year-old self.

Kakashi shook his head.

It’s been too long and besides, any memory of his father eventually led to images of blood stains on the wooden floor of the Hatake compound, now long abandoned. And these images lead to the bubbling anger that he has suppressed for years from a broken promise: being there for each other, the moment his mother died from childbirth. The promise was unspoken, but repeated and repeated until the day he saw his father polishing the Hatake blade before he left for school.

He doubt that’s the same feeling this timer represents.

He tries to remember Minato-sensei carrying him away after finding him frozen, staring down at his self-impaled father for hours. All his senses, for once, numb until Kushina covered him with a blanket and gave him a bowl of ramen to eat on the dinner table. He can still remember their soft expressions providing him comfort as they ate together. Just the three of them.

And then came Obito and Rin. Oh Kami. Obito and Rin who were childhood friends way before they met Kakashi. Who had their timers on zero and they were never sure why but were too happy-go-lucky to care.

He wonders if Obito’s non-shinobi-like habits and the arguments that followed would be the same playful banter he sees between couples because he would be lying to say he didn’t enjoy them, or missed them wholeheartedly. He can almost feel Rin’s fingers brushing against his injuries, some still aching to this day, and wonders if it’s the same desire of touch lovers feel.

But he knows it’s all wrong. Eventually, Minato and Kushina’s soft expressions turn into worried expressions as he pushes himself into isolation and depression until their deaths, impaled by Kurama. Remembering banters with Obito becomes an echo of the last fight they had before the Uchiha went off to save Rin. Remembering medic-ninja peacemaker, Rin and her touches, reminds him of the blood that covered his chidori-fueled fist.

So no. Kakashi does not know what love feels like. He felt his heart race when the scent of rust had hit his nose as soon as he opened the Hatake compound doors. He felt his palms sweat when he saw Minato and Kushina approaching him for a serious talk on his wellbeing, where he would lie. He felt the flutters in his stomach when the blood on his hand would not wash away despite it being years after her death — and the eye that was not his would sit uncomfortably in the socket of his brain.

Kakashi covered his wrist, because as far as he knows, love was shit and the timer was something to dread. He did not want it to hit zero. Anyways, The Fourth Great Shinobi War waits for no one. There he stood, a general people were relying on to defeat these white mutations. He has sacrificed so much that he himself felt like a sacrificial offering to whatever shinobi god was up there. So maybe it was with this thought that he allowed himself to hook one finger up his sleeve and slide it up to see his time.

00:00:00:00:07:00

Years. Months. Days. Hours. Minutes. Seconds.

Kakashi looked straight ahead and began to run up the trees, followed by several other shinobis as the white Zetsus began to appear in the distance. Now was not the time for such thoughts, or feelings. He could feel the familiar licking of electricity on his arm as he charged up.

00:00:00:00:06:00

Shinobi of all nations collided with the enemy and all sorts of jutsus were thrown. Kakashi regulated his breathing and tried to concentrate, ignoring the earth-shattering ticking of his subconscious.

00:00:00:00:05:00

Kakashi threw a kunai into the closest white Zetsu charging at him with such strength that the kunai pushed through it.

A warmth unparalleled by the sun that would greet him when he opens the Hatake compound doors.

00:00:00:00:04:00

He fired up the chakra at his fists until he was sure his punches felt like thunder.

A gentle face that would drape a blanket and give him ramen on his worst days.

00:00:00:00:03:00

Kakashi dodged an attack before slamming the enemy with a raikiri through it’s chest.

A conversation and a small touch that would make him feel more alive than any battle he has fought.

00:00:00:00:02:00

From the corner of his eye, he sees it. A flash of (h/c) hair running straight towards a group of Zetsus and in a blink, the parasite clones fell to the ground. Kakashi shifts his body to look across the battlefield where he saw the triumphant look on your face, along with it, a barrage of emotions that he could not comprehend.

00:00:00:00:01:00

He immediately sprinted through the masses, was blocked but easily brought them down without having to use any jutsu.

00:00:00:00:00:30

He finally spots you. You, with the warmth of midday, gently enamoring something in him. You felt his gaze on you so you shifted your body.

He spots the parasite clone behind you.

And your eyes met his.

00:00:00:00:00:01

Notes: Hi! This is my first fanfiction and I would love to know what you guys think!

#Kakashi Hatake #Kakashi Fanfiction #Kakashi x Reader #Kakashi x y/n #Naruto Fanfiction #Kakashi Angst #Kakashi Reader Insert #Naruto Reader Insert #kakashi fanfic #Kakashi Hatake x Reader #Kakashi Scenarios #Kakashi Headcanons #Kakashi HC #Naruto Headcanons #kakashi sensei #naruto shippuden #anime

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porkchop-ao3 · 5 years

Text

A Thrill I’ve Never Known Masterpost

Chapters: 69/?

I decided to compile a masterpost for all the chapters of ATINK to make it easier to find for those who prefer reading on here instead of AO3. I’ll be updating as I go.

Relationship: Arthur Morgan x Female Reader

Rating: Explicit

Tags: Van der Linde Gang, Canon-Typical Violence, Loss of Parent(s), Loss of Virginity, Explicit Sexual Content, Slow Burn, Character Death, Fix-It, Eventual Romance, Crimes & Criminals, Hunters & Hunting, Spoilers, POV First Person, First Relationship, No TB

Reader has been a lone wolf for a long time, and intends for it to stay that way. However, she soon realises that having a little company and help from others isn’t so bad.

AO3 Link. Tumblr links under the cut!

Chapter 1: Bait

Chapter 2: New Girl

Chapter 3: Put To Work

Chapter 4: Blackwater

Chapter 5: Light Duties

Chapter 6: Jemima Jones

Chapter 7: The First Shall Be Last

Chapter 8: Daisy Chains

Chapter 9: We Loved Once And True

Chapter 10: A Hearty Breakfast

Chapter 11: Rayna

Chapter 12: Jemima Jones II

Chapter 13: Belonging

Chapter 14: Leisure Time

Chapter 15: Slow

Chapter 16: Jemima Jones III

Chapter 17: Burn

Chapter 18: The Course Of True Love

Chapter 19: A Trip North

Chapter 20: Out In The Open

Chapter 21: Alone At Last

Chapter 22: Tales Of Loss

Chapter 23: Flimflammery

Chapter 24: Snowballing

Chapter 25: Partners Of Sorts

Chapter 26: Blessed Are The Peacemakers

Chapter 27: Jemima Jones IV

Chapter 28: Promises and Honesty

Chapter 29: A Family, Weakened

Chapter 30: On The Move Again...

Chapter 31: Shady Belle

Chapter 32: Hotel Grand

Chapter 33: Back Down To Earth

Chapter 34: The Gilded Cage

Chapter 35: Defender

Chapter 36: Horsemen, Apocalypses

Chapter 37: Horsemen, Apocalypses Part.2

Chapter 38: Out In The Wilderness

Chapter 39: Country Pursuits

Chapter 40: Revenge Is A Dish Best Eaten

Chapter 41: Galerie Laurent

Chapter 42: Banking, The Old American Art

Chapter 43: A Week Apart

Chapter 44: Saint Denis Times Tribune

Chapter 45: Opening Up

Chapter 46: Treasure

Chapter 47: Reunion

Chapter 48: Making Up For Lost Time

Chapter 49: Smoke

Chapter 50: Beaver Hollow

Chapter 51: Visiting Hours

Chapter 52: Just a Social Call

Chapter 53: Ball and Chain

Chapter 54: Play

Chapter 55: Choke

Chapter 56: Brandywine Drop

Chapter 57: Agent Wilson

Chapter 58: Full Circle

Chapter 59: Split

Chapter 60: Ambush

Chapter 61: Stitched Up

Chapter 62: Plans

Chapter 63: Goodbyes

Chapter 64: Loose Ends

Chapter 65: “I Miss You”

Chapter 66: Where Next?

Chapter 67: Glimpse

Chapter 68: One Last Ride

Chapter 69: Free

More to come...

#rdr2 #red dead redemption 2 #arthur morgan #arthur morgan x reader #fanfiction #atink #masterpost #atink masterpost

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thwippyparker · 4 years

Text

Try To Fix You-Chapter 1

Feel free to comment on what you think works, what you liked, or what you think I could improve on. I’m looking for someone to beta read, but right now it’s just me so enjoy.

Masterlist

Read Chapter 1

Read Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5

Feel free to comment, like, or share this if you want to be added to a tag list, or you can add yourself HERE. Enjoy!!

Eventual Peter x Reader, Friends to Lovers, Eventual Smut, ANGST

**************************************************************************

When you fall in love, you could never fathom that the person you give every part of yourself to could hurt or betray you. If you would think they had the capacity to do that to you, you wouldn't be with them. Loving is giving someone the ability to break you into a million infinitesimal pieces and hoping, praying, and trusting them not to. Unfortunately, there are people that will use love as a weapon, a game. Something to pass the time because they’re broken? Narcissistic? Evil? "There's got to be some explanation," you think to yourself as you're contemplating how to get the hell out of the precarious situation. "How could I not see the signs sooner? How could I be fooled so completely? Did I see the red flags and just not notice them?"

It started with small things when you look back on it. The fighting, the angry outbursts, the jealousy bordering on possessive, the "overprotective" nature he had really being all about control. You didn't even realize he slowly removed you from everything that was once important to you. You now screened your family's calls and completely disappeared from all of your friends. He was your world and he had made it that way on purpose. Then he began hitting you when you would make him angry. But he always apologized and promised it would never happen again. And it was great for a while until something set him off again. It was always your fault as to why he was angry and why he would hit you. "If you would just listen," "If you wouldn't go out with your friends as much," "I just love you so much that I go crazy."

Today was the last straw. You had told him before, "cheat on me or hit me and we are done." Now you find out he had been with other women, basically girls that were barely legal, almost your entire relationship. And one of them was pregnant. When you confronted him about it, he made you feel like you were crazy. When you had evidence to back it up, he got angry. Angrier than you had ever seen in your entire time knowing him. Suddenly his 6'2" frame seemed to tower over you, his muscles tensing and the vein in his neck pulsing and growing more pronounced with each beat. He had warned you to stop before something bad happened, but how could anything be worse than the bomb he had thrown into your relationship.

Then another line had been crossed, he laid his hands on you. Again. He threw you against a wall screaming at you because "How dare you accuse me of cheating?! And how do i know you're not fucking somebody else and this is just your guilt driving you crazy?!" He screamed, his hands tightening around your arms as he pulled you away from the wall only to slam you back against the wall again. Your head bounced off the wall and you could feel a headache forming from where it connected. When you fought back, his grip tightened like a vice. You begged him to stop because he was hurting you but that only seemed to egg him on. Raised his hand to punch you and brought it down to your face like a hammer, your eye instantly stinging from the contact. He kept throwing blows, connecting with any bit of flesh he possibly could. Finally, after what felt like forever, his phone rang. "Thank god for small blessings," you thought.

It was one of his friends calling to see if he wanted to go out to the bar. He released his grip on you and you fell to the floor, your legs giving out from underneath you. He left, telling you that your attitude better be gone before he got back or you'd be sorry. You just cried, which made the pain in your face get more intense until you swore you had run out of tears for a lifetime.

Once the shock faded, you noticed the time on the stove read 1:38, he would be coming home soon. You began packing as many of your things into any bag you could find. Your hands were shaking as the entire fight replayed over and over in your head. With each replay your resolve to leave and anger grew brighter and more intense. After packing your laptop, some clothes, and your most prized possessions, you walked out your front door and down the stairs until you were out on the street. You pulled out your cell phone and with a jagged breath called the only person you could think of that would be up this late.

After several rings, you were afraid you’d just get to your best friend’s voicemail. Everything seemed to be going in slow motion, with each second passing, you began to regret your decision. Regretting leaving, because who would love you now. Regretting calling him because it would make life harder for both of you once your soon to be ex realized where you were. “Why should I even expect him to answer after all the hurt I’ve caused him.” But luckily you heard the click of an answer followed by a sleep drenched voice that made your heart drop into your stomach and tears prick in your eyes.

**************************************************************************

Peter had finally settled into a light sleep after tossing and turning when he heard his phone begin to go off, playing a ringtone he hadn’t heard in 2 years. He thought he was just dreaming of you like he had many nights before. When his Spider-Sense began to scream at him that something was wrong, he realized that he wasn’t dreaming and saw that it was 2:15 AM. He lunged to his nightstand, attempting to grab the phone before it went to voicemail.

He thanked whoever was up there that he had been conscious enough to respond as quick as he did. He quickly swiped to answer his phone, his heart hammering in his chest. He was terrified that it wouldn’t be you on the line and you just still had him in your phone as your emergency contact. When he heard cars passing and then the sound of sirens blaring in his ears he was afraid his worst fear was about to become a reality. That your asshole of a boyfriend that he warned you he about had gone too far and you were hurt or dead. So he decided to speak first “Y/n, wha-” He ran his fingers through his curls trying to collect his thoughts before he was quickly cut off by your very raw voice. You sounded like you were on the verge of tears, “Pete, I need your help...”

He breathed an initial sigh of relief but the way you sounded made him even more anxious. “Wh- what’s wrong y/n? Is everything okay.” He prayed he was reading too much into this and maybe you just had a bad night but his Spider-Sense was on high alert, so he knew the odds of that were slim to none.

“Can you meet me at the police station near Aunt May’s? I could really use some support,” you responded vaguely, not wanting him to get too upset and do something he might regret later. You knew Peter was fiercely protective of his friends but especially you. The two of you had been friends since you were both practically in diapers. You had been there when he lost his parents and Ben and he was there when your world crumbled after your mom died of cancer. Your dad had never been in the picture so when she got sick you spent weeks on end with him and May, your apartment feeling too big and empty without your mom’s presence. When she died, it didn’t feel right to leave the neighborhood so you just got a small apartment near your old building after you moved out of May’s. She never rushed you to move but after the big fight with Peter, it didn’t feel right to stay living there with his aunt. She was always trying to play peacemaker and have both of you see sense but you were too stubborn. Now more than ever you wished you would’ve just listened to the wise woman.

“Why are you going to the police department, y/n? What. Happened,” he spoke through gritted teeth this time and you flinched away from the phone on instinct. You hated when Peter got angry because he went from playful puppy to fearsome wolf in 0.02 seconds.

“I… I can’t tell you, Pete….” a sob bubbled out of you, “ I just really need my Petey right now, please. I’ll tell you everything when I tell the police, okay. Just hurry.” You knew it was wrong to play the Petey card but desperate times called for desperate measures.

His heart broke at hearing your childhood nickname for him and he knew you were hurt. Deep in his soul, he knew. He began to blame himself for whatever had happened to you, he should’ve kept a closer eye on you. He should’ve stopped by your place this evening when this gnawing feeling first started but he had thought that was just the usual ache of missing you hitting him especially hard today. “Give me 15 minutes and I’ll be there okay, n/n? I’ll meet you in the lobby.” With that you both said goodbye.

He rushed to get a hoodie on, not caring that he was wearing just that and pajama pants. He grabbed an extra cartridge for his web shooter gauntlets and with that he was locking up his apartment and heading up to meet you at the police department. As soon as he got to an alley he took off swinging, his mind racing faster than he thought was possible on what could be wrong. He hadn’t heard from you in 2 years and yet tonight you call him out of the blue and have him meet you at the police station?

When he got close to the police station he decided to stop and walk the rest of the way. Peter got to the police station with a minute to spare and he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw you and he now knew why you refused to tell him. He gritted his teeth and repeatedly clenched and unclenched his hands at the sight of you. Wanting to find who did this to you and make them pay. You hadn’t seen him yet, which he was grateful for as it gave him a minute to compose himself before he ran up to you and pulled you into a quick hug. As soon as he had you in his arms, he felt you relax against him and could smell the salt in your tears as you began to cry for what was probably the millionth time that night. Once your crying died down a bit he pulled himself away from you to really inventory the damage that had been wrought.

Both of your eyes were swelling shut, from crying or impact wasn’t clear to Peter yet. Your nose was clearly broken and you had bruising on your cheek. Dried blood was on the front of your gray tank top and he could make out distinct hand prints on either arm. Much of the skin of your torso was bruised or bloody and he wanted to kill whoever had done this to one of the most important people in his entire life. The last time he had felt rage even comparable to this was when Uncle Ben had died.

He could tell you were uncomfortable under his gaze as you tried to hide behind your hair that was much shorter than the last time he had seen you. Peter made a note to ask about that later once all of this was done, as your hair had always been a thing of pride for you. You flinched when he brushed your hair and tucked it behind your ear and the heartbreak he had felt before was nothing compared to the shattering he now felt. Whoever had done this to you was going to have hell to pay but for now his top priority was you. For now he just wanted to make you feel better and make sure you would get through this. “Are you ready?” Peter wasn’t sure if he was asking you or himself.

**************************************************************************

“As ready as I guess I’ll ever be,” you grabbed his hand as you walked up to the front desk.

“How can I help you,” a short and stocky man in a police uniform asked as he assessed you. His bald head was gleaming in the fluorescent lighting and his face reminding you very much of a pug with how smushed in it was.

“I’d like to report a crime and file for a restraining order,” you said as a weight seemed to lift off of your shoulders, “my boyfriend did this to me.” You felt Peter go rigid against you and tighten his grip on your hand but he was still there so you didn’t worry too much for now. With that the officer led you to the Domestic Violence unit.

After several hours of testimony, filling out paperwork, and getting pictures taken for evidence you were finally free to leave. Exhaustion was beginning to settle into your bones when a realization hit you.”I don’t have anywhere to go.” Both of your names were on the lease and you refused to step back in that apartment without Peter and a police escort, although you couldn’t quite place if the escort would be for you or Peter; as you could tell the only thing keeping him at the station and not out on the street hunting your ex was you. He’d been getting increasingly agitated and confused as the interview went on and you knew it was a matter of time before he exploded all over you with questions on why you hadn’t gotten him sooner, why you didn’t at least talk to May, or why you didn’t leave sooner.

“Is there a women’s shelter I can go to until I find a new apartment,” you asked the woman that had been interviewing you. Peter looked over to you as if you had grown three heads before saying “ Don’t be ridiculous, you’re coming home with me. I’m not letting you out of my sight until this bastard is behind bars, y/n”

The last thing you wanted was to burden him even more by being an unwanted roommate but you had to admit that his idea sounded much better than being crammed into a small building with a bunch of strange women that you only shared one terrible thing in common with. So you decided why not? It wouldn’t be more than a couple nights and he had come all this way to be there for you and was now offering you a free place to crash. Plus, you really didn’t want to be alone after what happened and you could use a familiar face.

This was one of the many reasons why you loved Peter too, he would give anyone the shirt off his back because of who he is. But he would also go to the end of the universe for those he loved. It didn’t matter that your last conversation before this had been full of anger, hurt feelings, and unsaid words. He still for some reason unknown to you, considered you a friend and you would forever be grateful for him. He had always been your rock and here he was again, being the stand up guy you looked up to growing up.

When you finally left the station and headed to the subway, it was well into the morning and you realized you probably wouldn’t be going into work for the next couple of days so you sent your boss a text asking to work from home for the rest of the week. Peter was also typing away on his phone but he held your hand to make sure you wouldn’t leave. He also was on high alert, it seemed. Once you and Peter got onto the subway, you finally felt the full force of everything hit you and you felt the wind knocked out of you. Luckily at that moment, Peter wrapped his arm around you and things felt slightly better. After the conductor called for your stop, you and Peter stood up and gathered your things to head to his apartment. It wasn’t more than a few minutes from where you guys got out but the sooner you could get indoors and away from all of the stares, the better.

After climbing 3 flights of stairs you were finally at the door to Peter’s apartment. He unlocked it quickly and set your stuff down. You were given a very brief tour of the tidiest apartment you had ever seen. Peter’s photography was all over the apartment and it had a very lived in minimalist look to it. In the hall on the way to his room you saw a picture that made you tear up. It was a picture of you, your mother, May, Peter, and Ned on the last birthday you had before your mom got sick. “Mom would hate all of what’s going on right now.” After the whirlwind of the day, this was something you needed to but also didn’t want to see.

“Can I take a shower,” you asked, “ I desperately need one after the poking and prodding. Plus I’d like to get out of this,” as you gestured to the front of your blood soaked tank top. Peter gathered up some stuff for you to take a shower and showed you where to go. Never had a shower ever felt better or more relaxing. You spent a long time just letting the water rinse the day off and refusing to get out until the water ran cold because you didn’t want to face what lay ahead. For this brief period in time, you were at peace.

Eventually though you had to get out, so you quickly towelled off and put on some plaid pajama pants and a science pun t-shirt, both of which you had realized you’d stolen from Peter when you were younger. “I wonder if he even remembers me taking these. I wonder if he actually wants me here, or he’s just pitying me.” The internal monologue would not stop doubting. When you walked out of the bathroom you expected to be grilled by Peter. To your relief though, Peter was just laying on the couch waiting for you. He had just ended a phone call and was now texting when you plopped down by his feet.

“You can take the bed if you want, I can sleep on the couch,” he said, not looking up from his phone. You just nodded and went back to his bedroom, leaving the door open. Pulling back the dark blue covers, you tried to settle in but couldn’t. Your mind would not shut off and every time you closed your eyes, your brain would just replay the night’s events over and over. The restless mind thing had happened from time to time growing up when you would feel bad for robbing him of his bed or you were and Peter could tell what was going to come next.

“Don’t mind me,” he stated while walking into the room, “just coming to get my charger.”

“Pete, get in the bed,” you said matter of factly, “I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep knowing you're not comfortable. Plus, I think someone protecting me might make me fall asleep quicker.”

“Fine, but you better not snore or blanket hog,” he quipped, pulling the blankets on the unoccupied side of the bed.

“Blanket hog?! If I remember correctly, you used to burrito yourself every night, Parker.” You rolled onto your side, lifting your head up for him to put his arm under your neck, settling into the familiarity and warmth of him. You refused to lay as close as you used to with him, but got just close enough towards you both would have ample blankets.

“That’s because otherwise I’d freeze, y/l/n.” It was so odd yet comforting falling back into the pattern. With both of you laying side by side in his full-sized bed, it felt just like old times and you quickly dozed off, the weight of the day finally pulling you into a deep sleep.

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Masterlist

Read Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5

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austin-dodson-16-blog · 7 years

Text

Jesus was Political

I see this statement often on social media and it goes something a bit like this, “Why does everything have to be political?” Many a time it’s from well-meaning Christians who just want some sort of peace from the constant yelling match they see online.

I get the sentiment and believe me, I would have said something similar a few years ago. But life has happened and my eyes are open to things that they wouldn’t have been before. They are open to the fact that nothing in life is neutral. Nobody gets to be Switzerland.

That includes Jesus.

The typical rhetoric we see from well-meaning Christians is that Jesus came to save us spiritually and that we really shouldn’t focus on the here and now because it’s all fleeting. While there is some truth to that it isn’t actually the whole biblical picture.

Take the book of Amos for instance.

Amos is considered the first of the minor prophets in the bible. Normally we associate the word Prophet with the word prophecy. We tend to associate prophecy with fortune telling and seeing visions of the future.

Again, partially correct, but not for the reasons you would imagine. If we look a little further beneath the surface, prophets weren’t technically fortune tellers as much as they were readers of the times. What I mean by that is Prophets could see the big picture and the could see where it all would eventually lead.

Amos saw the injustice that was done to the oppressed and the marginalized. He knew where this would eventually lead. He saw the poor being taken advantage of by the rich, and it wasn’t just foreign nations but God’s chosen people! A few chapter into the book and Israel itself received the harshest of criticism and judgments, not the others.

Why?

Because they knew better. They had seen what the Lord could do and yet they didn’t listen to his decrees. This letter by Amos was actually sent to the King of the Israelite's, and this actually got him in trouble with the political leaders of his day. Amos above all being faithful to God was being political.

And if Amos was being political then how can we say Jesus wasn’t political?

And if you still disagree, I would have to ask you a simple question, “Why, then, was he put to death by a government?”

A common defense people use for not involving themselves in politics that you hear is when Peter said we should honor our kings because the Lord has placed them above us to punish those who would do evil things.

This is a good proof text but it’s commonly placed out of context. Let’s take a different look. If the king was oppressing the marginalized we wouldn’t honor them by giving them false praise. We would honor them by holding them accountable. Right? So..

First, a couple of questions.

1) Who were Jesus’s biggest critics? And...

2) What did those critics do?

To answer the first question it was undoubtedly the Pharisees and the Sadducee's. What did these people do? Well, we normally see these people depicted as religious leaders, however, they weren’t simply just religious leaders. They, in fact, were the political leaders as well. They presided over the law and handed down judgments much like the judicial and legislative branches of the US government do.

Next question.

1) Why did they dislike Jesus so much?

Because if you hold power, what is your main goal? To maintain your power or gain more of it. These religious leaders had a stake in what Jesus’ was doing. They knew the people saw Jesus as a prophet and the promised Messiah. If he were to succeed they would lose their influence. It was all political.

Not really helping his case, Jesus also said some pretty radical political things. In fact, his most famous statements were the beatitudes which kicked off his Sermon on the Mount. Here is what he said,

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, 2and He began to teach them, saying:3Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,for they will be filled.7Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

In the beatitudes, we see some of Amos. The poor, the oppressed, the brokenhearted, the beat down, and the bedraggled belong in the kind of kingdom Jesus was speaking of.

To the rich and powerful? Well, they have received their rewards and will also receive their judgment for creating a structure that systematically keeps them so at the expense of those who need help the most.

Jesus was political and those who followed him were political because people don’t just get crucified or murdered without attacking those in control.

To follow Jesus then is a political act and to trust that Jesus is Lord then is to trust that America isn’t.

Now, that doesn’t mean our country hasn’t done some amazing things. I am a beneficiary of America’s democracy. So are millions of other people. But the narrative that the American Dream will fix all of our problems is a myth. It is a myth/dream that we must all wake up from. It is what Amos says when he calls out Israel's sin and says, “Time’s up, O Israel! Prepare to meet your God!”. It’s what John the Baptist said when he told the people to Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at Hand.

It’s time Christians stop playing on the sideline. We can’t complain that everything is political, it is our reality. And what do we call those who deny reality?

I will leave you, the reader, to decide what word you will place there.

We can’t continue down this road. Our inaction on behalf of the marginalized enrages God. I fear if we continue to be silent we will lose any sort of witness we once held. If we continue to be silent then we will soon lose our ability to speak truth to power.

May we become political if that’s what it takes to wake up the world. If it takes disrupting your entertainment so be it. If it takes up all of your social interactions so be it. God has spoken, we must now act as if we’ve heard.

#Jesus #Amos #Politics #Christianity

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