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babypandawrites · 3 years

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Allies, Pt. 10

The Waterbending Master

Pairing: Sokka x F Reader Warnings: None Word Count: 3,827 Summary: The Northern Water Tribe, you've finally made it! It's certainly not the trip you thought it would be though.

Note: Like I mentioned in the last part, I do have a little outfit thing going on with the story- Brought that in a little late tho and we are changing it up in this chapter heh

-Navigation- | -Atla Masterlist- -Last Part- | -Allies Masterlist- | -Next Part-

Taglist: @boomeraangin | @brokennerdalert

“I’m not one to complain but,” Y/n’s attention lazily turned to Sokka as he started to speak, her eyebrows raising. “Yes you are.” He ignored her and continued. “Can’t Appa fly any higher?” The bison drifted a bit lower, his paws brushing against the water. Aang turned around to face them, looking at Sokka with a mix of annoyance and anger. “I have an idea, why don’t we all get on your back and you can fly us to the North Pole?” “I’d love to! Climb on everyone-” Sokka wiggled his butt in the air. “Sokka’s ready for takeoff!” Momo jumped up on him, in response to the sarcastic remark. “Look, we’re all just a little tired and cranky-” Katara got cut off by Y/n. “And cold.” She added, hugging herself as she shivered. Sokka looked at her with a blank expression. “Yeah I’m sure you’re freezing over there in my coat!” “Hey! Don’t complain when you offered it to me!” Katara breathed out a sigh. “Like I was saying- It’s just because we’ve been flying for two days straight.” “And for what? We can’t even find the Northern Water Tribe. There’s nothing up here.” Suddenly, splashing noises sounded up ahead, as ice rapidly shot across the water towards Appa. Aang screamed, yanking the bison’s reins causing him to bank right and avoid the ice. Though, Y/n, Katara, and Sokka nearly fell off the saddle, having to hold onto it for dear life. Appa jerks to the left as another ice attack comes from the waves, the ice slams into his underside making him fall into an uncontrolled spin into the water. The water around Appa solidifies, trapping him and the group in place. From behind the icebergs, several wooden skiffs float out to surround Appa, manned by people in Water Tribe clothing. Katara looked at the people with joy, Sokka and Y/n pausing their reach for their weapons as she spoke. “They’re waterbenders! We found the Water Tribe!”

Once Appa was freed from his icy prison, he swam through the water in formation with the Water Tribe boats. Aang stood up, and pointed ahead. “There it is!” Y/n shuffled to the edge of Appa’s saddle, and leaned over it to look where Aang had been pointing. “Woah…” “The Northern Water Tribe…” Katara spoke with wonder. “We’re finally here…” The crew on one of the skiffs start to waterbend in unison, opening a circular slot in the ice gating around the tribe, revealing a short tunnel. One of the waterbenders motioned forward, telling them to go on. Appa swam through the tunnel, which led into a lock system controlled by waterbending. Several waterbenders worked the system, allowing them into the city. “I can’t believe how many waterbenders live up here!” Katara commented, watching the benders working the lock system. Aang looked at her with a smile. “We’ll find a master to teach us, no problem!” Appa followed after a skiff that led them through the canals in the city. People gawked at them as they went through the town, clearly in awe. Though the people of the Northern Tribe weren’t the only ones in awe, The Northern Water Tribe was really a sight to see. With its beautiful ice buildings and scenery, Y/n found herself in complete awe of the city. Katara was in awe of the city as well. “This place is beautiful.” Y/n nodded in agreement, as Sokka spoke up from behind them. “Yeah, she is.” The two girls turned to look at him, seeing that he was balanced on Appa’s tail, staring at a passing boat that a girl sat in. They shared a look, rolling their eyes at Sokka.

Awkwardly, Y/n shuffled to take a seat between Katara and Sokka as Chief Arnook addressed everyone attending the festivities. She would have been there sooner, if not for the women who ushered her away for new clothes. Of course it was nice to be in appropriate clothing for the weather, but they’d been a little... difficult. “-rrival of our brother and sisters from the Southern Tribe, and they have brought with them someone very special, someone whom many of us believed disappeared from the world until now. The Avatar!” The crowd cheered at his words. “We also celebrate my daughter’s 16th birthday. Princess Yue is now of marrying age.” He stood aside to show Yue, his daughter, as she approached the table accompanied by two attendants. Now, Princess Yue spoke. “Thank you, father. May the great Ocean and Moon Spirits watch over us during these troubled times.” “Now, Master Pakku and his students will perform!” The chief motioned towards three men who stood on a dais in front of the fountain opposite of where they currently sat, who began to bend water from three enormous amphorae in front of them. The crowd cheered and clapped at the display. Aang, Katara and Y/n watched in delight, as they all clapped as well. Y/n’s attention was pulled from the waterbending show, when Katara rested a hand on her shoulder to get her attention. “Say, Y/n. Have you ever tried to waterbend before? Cause I mean, your partaly from the tribe and if you happened to be a waterbender, this would be the best place to learn it.” “I tried as a kid, but to no result. I think I can say I’m not a waterbender with pretty high confidence.” Katara’s expression fell from hopefulness to disappointment, as she nodded in understanding. “Oh, I see.” Part of Y/n wondered why Katara was so hopeful that she might be a waterbender, and just how long she’d been waiting to ask that. She offered her friend a sympathetic smile, slightly tuning into Sokka’s conversation with Princess Yue. “-I’m kinda like a Prince myself!” Scoffing, Y/n glanced over at him. “Prince?” Katara let out a laugh. “Ha! Prince of hat?” Sokka turned to look at them, angrily. “A lot of things! Uh, do you mind? I’m trying to have a conversation here!” “My apologies, Prince Sokka.” Katara offered a mocking bow as she spoke, causing Y/n to laugh. “Ah, yes, sincerest apologies.” She barely got the sentence out, before she started to laugh again. As the girls laughed, Sokka turned back to Princess Yue, both Y/n and Katara trying to sush each other's laughter to continue listening in. “So it looks like I’m gonna be in town for awhile. I’m thinking maybe we could.... Do an activity together?” “Do an ‘activity’?” Turning away from the Princess, Sokka stuffed his mouth with food, clearly embarrassed from his poor flirting attempt. Katara watched her brother in amusement. “Very smooth.” Y/n, also watching in amusement, nodded her head softly. “The smoothest.” He glared at them, as he swallowed down the food. “Shut up.” She raised her hands in defense, as Katara moved her attention to eating. “By the way, loser-” Sokka looked at Y/n, exasperated. “Hey!” Ignoring him, she picked up his coat which had been resting on her lap, and shoved it towards him. “Here’s your coat, thanks for letting me wear it so I didn’t freeze to death earlier.” He took it, looking somewhat relieved. Probably because he wouldn’t have to be without a coat in the North Pole anymore. “Yeah it wasn’t a problem.” He paused for a moment, to pull on the coat. “Actually, that was a lie. It was a problem, do you know how cold it is around here?” “Yeah, I do know how cold it is around here. But sorry, do you want me to make it up to you Sokka?” She paused, grinning. “Maybe I could take you to do an activity sometime.” “You. You are the worst.”

Breathing out a sigh, Y/n stared blankly at the ceiling. It was the next morning, and everyone had gone off to do something, leaving her alone with Momo- who was currently curled up on her chest. “Is this how you and Appa always feel, when we have to leave you two behind to be stealthy?” The small lemur chittered. “I am so sorry. This is really the worst.” It’s not like she wasn’t accustomed to being alone, before meeting Aang, Katara and Sokka she didn’t have anyone. Maybe over the past however long it’s been since they met, she’s gotten a little two attached. Another sigh pushed past her lips. “What happened to me, Momo? I used to be fine on my own. I thrived being by myself, now look at me, staring boredly at a ceiling because everyone is busy!” She lifted one of her hands to the ceiling as she spoke, before letting it fall back to her side. When Momo chittered, she gently patted his head. “Well, Katara and Aang have their waterbending practice and well, we can’t really do anything about that. Maybe we could go watch? We might be seen as some kind of distraction to them though. Then Sokka… I don’t know what he’s up to.” She paused for a moment. “What is he doing?” Another pause. “Ugh, why do I even care?” Momo chittered once again, causing her to look at him offended. “Momo! How dare you! I was going to invite you to come to town with me but know I’m not so sure.” He chittered again, causing her to breath a sigh. “Okay, okay, you can come with me. But it’s cold, so you might wanna hang out in my coat.” Y/n picked the lemur up, to move him from her chest so she could get up and pull on her coat and boots. After letting the small animal snuggle into her coat, she headed out for a day on the town. She walked along the streets of the city, occasionally petting Momo’s head when he popped it out of her coat. “Isn’t this nice, Momo? We can go around and do whatever we want, without a care or worry in the world.” Her steps slowly came to a stop. “Hmm. It’s kind of… boring, actually. Never thought I’d say that.” Shaking away her thoughts, she decided to go into one of the shops she was walking past, a quick look around told her it was a clothing shop. A quiet bell jingled when she opened the door, which seemed to alert the older woman who came from the back room. “Oh! Welcome, how can I help you?” The woman offered a kind smile, the contagious kind.” Offering a smile, Y/n stepped more into the shop, looking around a bit more closely. “I’m honestly just here to look around- Um are animals allowed? I have a lemur in my coat.” As if on cue, Momo popped his head out. “As long as he doesn’t mess with anything, I don’t mind.” “Alright, you heard her Momo, don’t go messing with anything.” She paused, turning her attention back to the woman. “I promise he’ll behave.” The woman breathed out a laugh. “I’ll take your word for it. Let me know if you need any help dear.” “I will, thank you.” Y/n started to walk about the small shop, looking at the clothes and accessories that were being sold. Since she’d just gotten the clothes she was wearing yesterday, she didn’t intend on buying something new in the regard, but maybe she would purchase one of the accessories in the shop. Everything here was beautiful after all, it might feel like a crime to not get anything. “These pieces are gorgeous..” “Thank you.” She turned to look at the woman when she spoke up, watching as she moved to stand next to her. The woman carefully picked up the bracelet she was looking at. “May I see your wrist?” Offering a nod, Y/n pushed up the sleeve of her coat some, holding her wrist out to the woman. She tied the bracelet around her wrist. Most of it was woven, with soft brown materials, though in the center of the bracelet was a beautiful blue stone with the water tribe insignia carved into it. “All our products are hand made, we put care and love into each one. My son crafts most of the jewelry we sell, this was actually the last piece he crafted before taking leave.” Y/n looked closer at the bracelet, slowly twisting her wrist to watch the

stone glint in the light that came through the windows, as the woman continued speaking. “You seem very enamored, are you going to buy it?” “I definitely want to. I’d have to talk to my friends about it though, we have a shared budget.” “Understandable.” The woman started to untie the bracelet. “I can keep it on hold for you, so if you’re able to you can just come right back and it’ll be ready for you.” She paused for a moment, as she took the bracelet over to the counter to wrap it in parchment. “Though, my son didn’t just craft jewelry. He also worked out here and helped customers so I could focus on making my orders in the back room. If your maybe interested in getting some more money for you and your friends, I do have an opening.” “I think, I just might be interested.”

“How’s warrior training going?” In response to his sister's question, Sokka kicked a bag on the floor in anger, before falling to his knees and dropping his head on the bag to use as a pillow. Y/n watched him with a raised eyebrow. “That bad?” “No, it’s Princess Yue. I don’t get it. One minute she wants to go out with me and the next she’s telling me to get lost!” He paused for a moment. “So how’s waterbending training?” Katara flopped onto her sleeping bag, causing her hood to flip over her head. “Master Poophead won’t teach her because she’s a girl.” Aang explained. “Why don’t you just teach her, Aang?” “Why didn’t I think of that?” Katara got up. “At night, you can teach whatever moves you learned from Master Pakku. That way you have someone to practice with and I get to learn waterbending. Everyone’s happy!” Sokka crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m not happy.” “But you’re never happy. Come on, Aang.” Katara left the room, Aang following close behind, leaving Y/n with a very sulky Sokka. Momo chittered at the male, but was given no response. Silence lingered in the air for a few moments, before Sokka spoke up. “Hey, Y/n, you're a girl. Maybe you can help me with this.” He sat up, and moved to face her. “Why do you think Princess Yue is acting like this?” “Um, well…” Y/n stumbled over her thoughts, really unsure on what to say. “Maybe… she’s just scared of liking you?” Sighing, his head slumped forward. “Am I really that bad? Would it ruin her reputation as a Princess or something to date me?” “No! No, that’s not what I was trying to say! What I mean is that- The only reason we’re here is so Aang and Katara can learn waterbending, right? So eventually we’re gonna have to leave and Princess Yue is probably aware of that.” “Oh. Yeah… Yeah that makes sense.” Sokka breathed out a sigh, falling onto his back, before rolling onto his side. “I think I’m gonna just go to bed. Goodnight.” “Goodnight, Sokka.” Breathing out her own sigh, Y/n moved to lay on her back, staring blankly at the ceiling. Why does he care so much? Why does she care so much?! For a moment her thoughts lingered on the day they went to that fortune teller, but she shut that down really quick. Nope, not going there. Another sigh escaped from her, as she drapped an arm over her eyes. Maybe she just needs some sleep. Yeah.

Apparently, Aang teaching Katara what he learned from Master Pakku didn’t do well. That was pretty obvious to Y/n as she stood in front of the tribes council, Chief Arnook, Princess Yue and Master Pakku alongside her friends the next day. “What do you want me to do? Force Master Pakku to take Aang back as his student?” “Yes- please!” “I suspect he might change his mind if you swallow your pride and apologize to him.” Katara glanced at Aang for a moment, before looking over to Master Pakku. “Fine.” She was clearly not happy with this development. “I’m waiting, little girl.” Pakku spoke with a smug smile. “No! No way am I apologizing to a sour old man like you!” As she spoke, a crack started to form in the floor beneath her, a show of her bending getting a little out of control. “Uh, Katara…” Ignoring Aang, she pointed her finger at Pakku. “I’ll be outside- if you’re man enough to fight me!” Princess Yue gasped in surprise, as the man in the room stiffened. Katara turned, and stalked out of the room. Aang watched as she left. “I’m sure she didn’t mean that.” “Yeah, I think she did.” Sokka disagreed. Y/n offered a nod. “Oh, she definitely did.”

The three followed after Katara, walking down the long steps of the citadel with her. “Are you crazy, Katara? You’re not gonna win this fight!” Katara took off her coat, and threw it at Sokka in response, hitting him in the face. “I know! I don’t care!” “You don’t have to do this for me. I can find another teacher.” “I’m not going it for you! Someone needs to slap some sense into that guy!” “You're right Katara, I think you can do it. Kick his butt.” “I will. Thank you Y/n.” Sokka looked at Y/n exasperated. “Don’t encourage her!” She elbowed him in the side. “If not for your idea, we wouldn’t be here, so maybe you should be a little more encouraging. Especially since you’re her brother.” As they all reached the bottom of the steps, Pakku appeared at the top. Katara turned to look at him. “So, you decided to show up?” He just walked right past her. “Aren’t you going to fight?” “Go back to the healing huts with the other women where you belong.” He… he did not just say that. Visibly raging, Katara bent a water whip from the ground and used it to whip Pakku on the back of the neck, causing him to freeze his steps. Slowly, he turned to face Katara. “Fine. You want to learn to fight so bad, study closely!” Pakku pulled the water from two large pools, bending them around himself. Katara ran at him, but was flung backwards by the water Pakku was bending. He starts to bend the water around both of them, making it spin faster and faster to create a whirlpool type effect. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to hurt you!” He spoke mockingly, as the water constricted around them. Before it could constrict enough to knock her down, Katara swung her arm, changing the trajectory of the water. The water flung away from her, but ended up hitting Sokka and sending him flying backwards with a loud “OW” exclamation. Watching him get knocked back like that, Y/n shuffled to stand behind Aang in case more water was shot their way. Attention turning back to the fight, she watched as Katara ran at Pakku from behind with a water whip. He raised a ramp of ice in front of her though, which she slid up onto before flipping off and landing on the guardrail of the citadel steps behind him. Pakku liquefied the water, and threw it at Katara, but she bent it out of the way. “You can’t knock me down!” The small crowd that’d gathered to watch the fight cheered. “Go Katara!” Aang cheered out, as Y/n cheered “You got this!” Katara ran at the man again, liquifying the sheet of ice he put between them. She threw several punches at Pakku, which he was able to dodge pretty well. Bending a large glob of water, he threw her into a nearby pool. When she rose from under the water, some people in the crowd cheered again. She raised a circular pedestal out of the water, before shooting thin discs of ice at Pakku. He broke most of them with quick movements, but the last one just narrowly passed by his head. Katara bent a stream of water around her, then threw it at Pakku, who caught it and began to bend it around himself. Katara ran at him again, but was quickly knocked back from a wave of water Pakku sent at her. She was fully knocked to the ground from the force, landing just a bit aways from the staircase. Despite her heavy breathing, she was quick to get on her feet again. She moved her arms, bending the two ice pillars that were behind Pakku, causing them to collapse, just barely missing him. “Well, I’m impressed. You are an excellent waterbender.” “But you still won’t teach me, will you?” “No.” Katara raised the water near her feet, freezed it and sent it in a rolling wave along the ground at Pakku. He raised himself from the ground with a pillar of ice when it reached him, before liquifying the base of the column and bending it to glide forward. She raised a stream of water and used it to knock Pakku down, but he was able to manipulate her water into an arc around her, which he slid across. He knocked Katara down as he passed her, causing her hair to fall loose and her necklace to fall onto the ground. Pakku bent a huge column of water from one

of the pools near him, making it whirlpool in the air before freezing it into shards that he shot at Katara. None of them seemed to hurt her, but they did trap her. She struggled against the icy prison, but to no result. “This fight is over.” Master Pakku said as he walked past her. “Come back here! I’m not finished yet!” “Yes, you are.” He abruptly stopped, looking in surprise at Katara’s necklace. He bent down to pick it up. “This is my necklace!” “No it’s not, it’s mine! Give it back!” “I made this sixty years ago- for the love of my life.” The ice holding Katara in place suddenly liquified. “For Kana.” “My Gran-Gran was supposed to marry you?” “I carved this necklace for your grandmother when we got engaged. I thought we would have a long, happy life together. I loved her.” “But she didn’t love you, did she? It was an arranged marriage.” Katara walked up to Pakku. “Gran-Gran wouldn’t let your tribe’s stupid customs run her life. That’s why she left. It must have taken a lot of courage.” Princess Yue, who’d been tearing up at what Katara was saying, started to cry- before running off. Aang leaned closer to Sokka. “Go get her.” When Sokka chased after Yue, Y/n watched, breathing out a quiet sigh. So, this is how this visit is going to be.

#avatar the last airbender #atla #avatar the last airbender x reader #atla x reader #reader insert #sokka x reader #sokka x y/n #sokka x you #team avatar #slowburn #book one allies

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keelywolfe · 3 years

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FIC: Welcome to Backwater ch.7 (spicyhoney)

Summary: Stretch knows he can't really depend on the kindness of strangers, but oh, sometimes he wishes he could.

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Read ‘The Kindness of Strangers’ on AO3

Read it here!

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It was with a heavy, weird-ass book in hand that Stretch returned to the heat of the afternoon. This time he made haste getting back to the store while his knees were cooperating, almost jogging on the sidewalk and waving to any regular customers as he passed. The sun was on its downward path by now and the strollers were out in full force, the Human moms and pops pushing them hardly paying him any mind past a ‘good afternoon’ as he went by.

His knees were back to the wibble-wobbles when he slipped through the door, the bell announcing him with a muted clank. The first thing he noticed was that Red wasn’t behind the counter. He was standing at the back of the store, leaning on his cane and blocking off the hallway that led to both their living quarters. Yeah, that looked like insurance that Stretch couldn’t hurry on past him upstairs; Red wasn’t quick, but he also wasn’t stupid, and Stretch could feel his hard gaze scrutinizing him from across the store.

Wonderbar.

Stretch pasted on a grin and tried to act like someone who hadn’t been recently felt up by Red’s little brother in the public library. Not that Red said that he couldn’t, but some things, (for example, random groping) could probably be inferred.

“hey, what’s up?” Stretch said brightly.

“my bro called,” Red said bluntly, and Stretch’s feeble hopes deflated like yesterday’s party balloon. So much for discretion.

“i can explain,” Stretch blurted, “it wasn’t my idea, seriously, i was only—"

Red interrupted him with an amused snort. “easy, kid, don’t haul out your guilty conscience on my account. all he did was give me the gist of things, said you had yourself an unexpected adventure.” Red jerked his head towards the hallway. “g’wan, string bean, you can use my bathroom. take a shower and cool off.”

A cool shower pouring down on his dirty, sweaty bones sounded like Eden itself right about now, apple not included.

“thanks,” Stretch said gratefully. He skirted around Red, who didn’t move, only squatted there like a grouchy stump in the middle of the doorway while Stretch squeezed around him. Must be tempering his kindness with a little extra asshole to keep things even.

On his way to showerland, Stretch took a quick detour to leave the book on the coffee table amidst the clutter. Maybe he could ask Red about it, get the cliff notes version.

The shower in the downstairs bathroom was stuck with the same crappy water heater as upstairs, not that it mattered since Stretch was about ready to cuddle with an iceberg to cool off. Added bonus, the showerhead was a lot better and it managed to crank the feeble water pressure up to its max. There was a cheap plastic stool sitting in the tub, way too short for Stretch. He sat on it anyway, knees almost up to his chin as the cool water poured down on him and washed away the sweat and filth.

He was shivering a little by the time he was done, dragging a ratty towel over his dripping bones. The pile of his clothes was missing and there a new folded bundle sitting on the closed toilet lid. He must’ve been out of it more than he thought, he’d never even heard Red coming in. Unless laundry fairies were a thing and wasn’t that idea a lot more pertinent than it was yesterday.

Stretch picked up the bundle and part of it fell on the floor. Pajama pants, luckily not a pair of Red’s although it might’ve been hilarious to see Stretch wandering around like a scrawny hulk who sprouted upward out of his clothes instead of sideways. They were red plaid flannel and worn to the stage of being shiny at the knees and elbows. Probably an old pair of Edge’s, the fit was pretty close and not too many Humans wore their waistband quite as skinny as a guy without a waist.

(he was not getting a cheap thrill out of wearing a pair of Edge’s pajamas, no matter what his libido was trying to tell him)

He wandered out into Red’s living room, still squeegeeing his skull dry with the damp towel, and saw the sofa was made up with some blankets and a pillow, the television remote set helpfully in reach.

“you done?” Red’s voice echoed up from the store and his peculiar gait made its way down the hallway until he appeared again in the doorway. “then lay down and turn on the boob tube, zone out awhile. you’ll feel better.”

“what did your brother tell you?” Stretch asked. Not that he wasn’t willing to do what he was told. The couch was saggy in the middle, but the blankets were clean and smelling of laundry detergent. They felt blissfully cozy after the cold shower.

“said you met edgar allen,” Red said. “under less than stellar circumstances, i’m guessin’, since i don’t think ya got an invite for a meet and greet with the local scarecrow.”

This time his shiver had nothing to do with the temperature. Edgar Allen was an okay guy, (guy?) but Stretch was still on the fence about the corn’s attitude problems. “not exactly, no. thanks for the heads up, by the way.”

Red tilted his skull to one side, baffled, “heads up about what?”

“i dunno,” Stretch leaned up on an elbow to see him better and hopefully increase the effect of his dirty look, “maybe when you’re warning me off from the local landmarks, you could’ve touch on that fact that a stroll through the fields might involve the corn trying to hold me as a captive audience?”

“naaah,” Red scoffed. Stretch didn’t miss the way he absently started picking at his gold tooth; that was a nervous tell right there and maybe all this wasn’t just concern but dealing with a little guilt that Stretch’s latest town bonding experience was less than top notch. “that's why the damn scarecrow is there t'begin with. ‘sides, even without him you’d have gotten out before dark. anyway, never expected you to go tromping off into the corn in search of a maze, sorry i misgauged the direction of your dumbass.”

“no, i’m sorry, not your fault.” Stretch couldn’t hold back a yawn so wide it nearly split his skull, yeesh, it wasn’t even dinner time and he was ready to sleep for a week. The imaginary hamster running on the wheel in his head wasn’t quite as ready and it decided to race back to thoughts of Edge sitting in the library, alone. Researching he’d said, so intent on his books from the so-called restricted section, like a bargain basement Hogwarts. “hey, what does your brother do?”

“mostly he’s a pain in my ass.”

It was said with great feeling and Stretch snerked out a laugh. Yeah, kinda a universal trait with little brothers. “no, seriously, i mean, for a living, what does he do?”

Red shifted his feet, his cane scraping the floor. “why are ya askin’?”

“curious. bored,” Stretch shrugged, “take your pick.” He didn’t really want to explain to Red that his brother wasn’t just a sexy pair of legs in boots anymore, (but those hips would never be forgotten). He was interesting, no, fascinating. This whole town was turning out to be some kind of puzzle and it seemed to him that Edge might be a big piece. He’d said that figuring out Backwater was a fool’s errand, but he’d never met Stretch’s kind of fool before.

“kid—” Red sighed and that resigned tone snapped Stretch out of his whimsies. He cringed internally. What was he even trying to do here, he owed Red so much and not just for the job, and here he was digging for information about his bro after Red already warned him off, not once, but twice, so maybe what he was really digging was his own grave, if he didn’t knock it off.

“nevermind,” Stretch said hurriedly. “i shouldn’t’ve asked, none of my business, i get it.”

Red shook his head. “that ain’t it.”

Stretch tried on a little laugh, ha ha, see, it wasn’t that big a deal, right? “look, the state of your brother’s ass aside, i get it. that’s your little brother, and i didn’t forget what you said. we only bumped into each other at the library, i’m really not trying to get into his pants.”

He left off on making it a promise; he was telling the truth, but why take the chance on not keeping it.

He didn’t expected the hand that suddenly scruffed over his skull, like the noogies he used to give to Blue when he was little…well, okay, Blue was still little but noogieing was off the table since he’d started his guard training.

This wasn’t like that childish roughhousing, Red’s knuckles only scraped softly along his coronal sutures. “no, kid, you don’t get it. my bro can handle himself, it ain’t him i’m worried about. but you? don’t ya got the feeling you ain’t up to any new affairs of the soul right now? might want to take it easy awhile.”

That unexpectedly gruff kindness made tears sting in his sockets. Stretch guiltily leaned into that touch to absorb every drop, and how was it he could accept it from Red when he couldn’t take it from his own brother? “i don’t get you. you barely even know me. why are you so nice to me?”

Red huffed out a laugh. “you want i should be an asshole? okay, but i gotta warn ya, i’m a contender when it comes to dick moves.”

“thanks, but you can keep your dick in your pants.”

“your loss.”

“seriously, though, what i mean is. i just don’t get it. this place is so weird, but everyone is nice.” It didn’t exactly line up with Stretch’s view of the world. His brother was always nice sure and Snowdin hadn’t been too bad, if you didn’t count the fact that all his friends were from drinking his nights away at Muffet’s. The surface world ran about fifty-fifty with Monsters being on the kinder side of the scale…until he got dumped and found out he lost all his friends in the divorce, how was that for loyalty.

Red only chuckled. “now you’ve gone and cursed yourself. can’t say everyone is nice, you ain’t met everyone yet.”

That was true, fuck, he hoped the universe wasn’t listening and if it was, that it didn’t decide to drum up a little drama. “red?”

“yeah, kid?”

Stretch craned his head back on the pillow and met Red’s crimson gaze upside-down. “thank you for being nice.”

“don’t tell anyone. i’ll lose my resident asshole status.

“secret is safe with me, promise.” Stretch yawned again and the cow bell suddenly jangled loudly out front, startling them both.

Red shouted. “yeah, i’m coming!” He tossed over his shoulder back at Stretch, “take tomorrow off, sleep in, you ain’t had a day off since ya got here.”

“thanks, boss.”

Stretch started to settle in, nap ahoy, captain, hard to starboard and all that, and his eye lights snagged on the book. Shit, he forgot to ask Red about it. Probably didn’t matter, Red’s ingredient label kinda went equal parts of cryptic and cryptid, so he probably wasn’t gonna give the right answers even if Stretch figured out what to ask.

Wait.

If Red and Edge want to share the part of the local Obi-Wan with their mysterious ways, that was fine. He already had the perfect person lined up to ask about the town’s history. Well, part of a person, anyway, the most important part.

Plan formed, Stretch turned on the television and snuggled into the blankets, letting the dulcet tones of Pat Sajak lull him to sleep.

He didn’t dream.

~~*~~

The next day, Stretch headed over to the theater bright and early, still munching on the muffin Red handed off to him as he settled on the stool for the day with his latest book, this one with a bare-chested pirate embracing a busty Human woman as the ocean sprayed up over the hull over them. Seemed to Stretch that would be less smokin’ sexytimes and more cold and wet, but what did he know, his closest encounter with the ocean was extra salt on his Applebee’s margarita.

“thanks, mom,” Stretch said as he took the little paper lunch bag Red held out to him. Red only grunted and didn’t look up from his book. In the midst of rummaging for his tasty free breakfast, Stretch hesitated at the front door.

He felt a little guilty even though Red was the one who told him to take the day. Before he started working at the store, was Red really sitting there all day long, twelve hours of a cash register and customers while he drank beer and soaked up a little romance language in the form of a cheap paperback?

Not that Stretch was judging, hell, if that made Red happy, more power to him. Still, there had to be more to his life than that, didn’t there? Maybe he’d see if Mitch sold sudoku pads at the gas station, pick him up one along with a six-pack. Hard to guess if they carried that kind of entertainment; Mitch was either some kind of crossword grand champion or the kind of guy who ate ketchup on his cheerios and Stretch still wasn’t sure which.

The first movie showing wasn’t for another hour, but Igor didn’t make a fuss when Stretch asked him if he could go sit down early. (and holy shit, the proprietor’s name was actually Igor? He wasn’t sure if the guy’s parents hated him or if the universe sense of irony rolled a natural D20 when it hit this town.)

Igor only grunted and handed over two cups of popcorn without being asked, handing back a crumpled dollar in change. Aww, Stretch had a usual, see, he was settling into town just fine, suck it, Edge.

(don’t think it, don’t think it, don’t think it…)

Stretch made his way to the theater to his regular seat, propping his sneakers up on the chair in front of him. The popcorn he set aside for now, it wasn’t exactly his idea of a breakfast treat and that muffin Red gave him was still settling into his magic. To be honest, he wasn’t entirely sure if Doris could show up very long before the movie. He was no expert, but he did know that ghosts could have some peculiar rules about manifesting. Hopefully this wouldn’t mess with her morning routine, whatever it was.

He didn’t have to wait long. Maybe Doris could sense him or maybe she could just feel it when a living person came into the theater. She slowly came into focus next to him, pale ectoplasm coalescing, and the already cool air chilled even further.

Doris happily sniffed at her popcorn as she said, whispery soft, “Good morning, Stretch, you’re here very early.”

“yeah, took the day off work,” Stretch said. His voice sounded too loud in the empty theater, not even the elevator music was playing yet. “i need your help with something.”

He might as well have flipped Doris’s switch to ‘on’. She lit up, a smile curving her pretty mouth and seeming more solid than ever. The seat behind her was barely visible through her pale pink dress as she said eagerly, “Of course, anything that I can do.”

So that was how Stretch came to tell her the story about Edgar Allen. He didn’t leave out any details, including the bit about the kids shouting at him not to go in the field, the corn closing in around him in a dizzying maze of green, Edgar Allen’s assistance, and Edge’s cryptic warning that the scarecrow would disappear with the harvest.

Doris listened to it all raptly, her eyes wide and startlingly blue, and she never flickered once the entire time. The only unsettling sight was a single trickle of blood running down the side of her face, gathering in a heavy droplet on her chin.

“My, that sounds terrifying,” Doris breathed, unaware of the irony of her saying that while a slender thread of ghostly blood ran down her cheek. The droplet swelled fatly, growing until it finally fell with a plip onto her dress, leaving behind a perfectly round spot that would slowly vanish, only to be replaced by the next drop.

It didn’t really bother Stretch much anymore; he was getting used to it and an old memory of blood was nothing compared to his recent woes. “yeah, it was spooky all right.”

“But I’m not sure I can help you,” Doris continued sadly, “There wasn’t a scarecrow in my day, not that I remember. But the corn. Yes. That I recall.” She shivered delicately and her chair let out a strange groan of springs. “A person could get lost for days in the corn. I remember…” Her already faint voice went softer and Stretch strained to hear her, her gaze distant. “I remember one year at harvest time, they found a skeleton in the field, it was awful. Oh!” She gasped and pressed a gloved hand to her mouth, “I’m so sorry, it was a dead person, not a skeleton like you!”

“no offense taken,” Stretch assured her. He slouched down in his seat even more and waggled his feet, his untied shoelaces laces bobbing against the seatback “huh. so at least one person died out in the corn.”

“I’m afraid I don’t remember much about it,” Doris admitted. “whoever it was, they weren’t local.”

“uh huh.” An outsider, then, like him, getting munched up by the corn triffids. “who owns the corn fields, anyway?”

“I…” she hesitated, then apologetically. “I’m not sure. I don’t know if I’ve forgotten or if I never knew.”

Another mystery. If he was gonna play at Sherlock Holmes, he really needed to start taking notes. Maybe get a pipe.

“welp, either way, edgar allen bro out there saved my ass,” Stretch told her. He picked up a piece of popcorn and didn’t eat it, only crumpled it between his fingers and let the mangled bits fall to the floor, “and he’s gonna die come harvest time. i feel like i owe it to him to at least hear his story, you know? edge wouldn’t tell me much, just gave me that book and a scavenger hunt.”

“This Edge person doesn’t sound very nice,” Doris said disapprovingly. Her mouth pulled down into a frown that flashed briefly to a bloody smear. “Is he local?”

“kinda? he’s a monster like me, so he could only have been in town for a coupla years. since we came to the surface, anyway.”

Sudden relief washed over Doris’s pretty face. “He’s not a human, then.”

“nope, he’s another skeleton monster.” That seemed to satisfy her. Note to self, Doris wasn’t real keen on Humans, in a way that didn’t seem like it was only about the way they ran away when they got a good look at her. That mystery wasn’t all too mysterious, not with a big, bloody clue flickering in and out of view like a gory version of a kid’s flipbook. If that was a going away present from another Human, he didn’t blame her for being wary. He wondered if she’d met Edge before but Stretch hesitated to bring up that idea, or to mention Red; he didn’t want her to feel bad if she didn’t remember. “yep, another skeleton monster in town. he’s kinda rough around the edges, but he’s okay.”

“Okay, is that all?” Doris said with unexpected mischievousness, “he didn’t sound simply ‘okay’ when you were describing him.”

A blush flared hotly in his cheekbones and Stretch hunched down in his seat, weirdly embarrassed in a way he hadn’t been with Red. At least Red could see what he was staring at, Doris only had him waxing poetically about Edge’s hips to go by, and Shakespeare he wasn’t.

“yeah, yeah,” Stretch grumbled, and damn, he should’ve brought along his hoodie, at least he could’ve hidden from the laughter shining in her translucent eyes. She had a dimple in the cheek on her good side and it deepened as Stretch admitted, “could be that i enjoy the view. but that’s it, okay? just a little sightseeing, i don’t need any souvenirs.”

“Uh huh,” Doris clicked her tongue thoughtfully, “Stretch, my mama always told me you can’t hurry up a good time by waiting for it.”

Other people were starting to come into the theater now. One of them gave him a curious look, but they didn’t stop, only followed the others down to the front row.

“the only time i’m looking for is in the nick of,” Stretch sighed. “guess there’s no way around it, i’ll have to read the book.”

He should’ve known not to try to find an easy way out; seemed like all his shortcuts had abandoned him, lately.

Doris laid a hand on his arm and a sudden chill sank its teeth in deep enough for his bones to ache. “I’m sorry I couldn’t help,” Doris said softly.

“nah, you helped plenty,” Stretch told her. She had. Now he knew that scarecrows were slightly more recent, at least within the past century and that maybe the cornfield wasn’t quiet as safe as it’d been played off to be. At least a cornfield without Edgar Allen in it.

The lights started dimming, the first credits beginning to roll. His popcorn was cold, the butter congealing it into clumps of greasy blobs that stuck to his fingers. Stretch ate it anyway, hey, it cost him a dollar, and laughed with Doris as Buster Keaton escaped from a bumbling crowd of cops by grabbing onto a passing car.

His phone was in his pocket, tucked in deep and only lightly pressing against his femur through the thin cloth of his shorts. It vibrated once in a quick, staccato burst while the movie was playing but Stretch ignored it.

That was one lesson he’d learned very well while they still lived under the mountain; if you focused on the task at hand, you didn’t have to think about the ones you left behind.

~~*~~

tbc

#spicyhoney #papcest #keelywolfe #underfell #underswap #underfell papyrus #underswap papyrus #underfell sans #welcome to backwater

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lihikainanea · 4 years

Note

I'm with you, Bill has an amazing body that could be a swimmer. He doesn't need to be very muscular like his older bros. I love the long torso of this fibrous bitch

Anonymous said:

you have given me the lovely mental image of bill being a swimmer. perhaps him swimming while tiger watches? and she’s fuckin drooling over him glistening and soaked when he gets out? and he was hitting it pretty hard bc it’s part of his exercise routine so he’s all breathless and pumped up and she’s just o_o over her biiiiig dude

SWIMMER. BILL.

Fuck me.

FUCK. ME.

I need a minute to process that.

Listen, I’ve always had like...a really weird kink...for dudes who can swim. I think it’s probably rooted in my summers I spent as a lifeguard, and one particular summer in Wildwood with the hottest dude I’ve ever seen in my life. He was a fellow lifeguard, a little older than me, and he was everything great in this world. He was fucking hot and he had no idea how hot he was, and it was a summer of the raunchiest sex I think I’ve ever had.

It was fucking incredible. God, I still smile about it. The dude was a water polo player too, and I can’t even explain to you how strong he was. I am strong, I am very strong, but in the same way that a ballerina is stronger than a football player--this dude was insane. His functional strength was insane. I am a really fast swimmer, a really strong swimmer, but when we did laps together--this guy was honestly a fucking torpedo. He’d clear 5 lengths in the time it took me to do 2. This motherfucker would do the butterfly stroke in the ocean and he’d fucking catapult OVER the waves, he was so strong.

But like...watching these dudes work was a fucking privilege. I WAS a lifeguard and sometimes I would just stand there at my post and drool. All of them just seemed so tall, so long, shoulders like a fucking fridge though. Watching them power through the water was such a sight--they were like dolphins man, so strong and so powerful, and they were fearless. They’d go and get your stupid ass against a rip tide and haul you back to shore like it as nothing. The way they would leap out of their lifeguard chairs and go tearing down the beach, running like fucking gazelles before diving into the wave like a torpedo, zero-ing in on you.

Again, I WAS a lifeguard and I would look at these dudes and just be like...hjnnnnnnnguh you’re so hot.

And the thing is, Bill actually has the most perfect swimmer’s body. The wingspan of a fucking pterodactyl. Huge hands. An incredibly long, hydrodynamic torso with narrow hips. The longest fucking legs known to mankind, topped off with feet like fucking flippers. Bill is made to tear through the water at incredible speeds, and it’s a fucking shame and a crime against nature if he doesn’t swim somewhat competitively.

So like, I love this thought right. What if its exactly that? Maybe Bill was a swimmer in his teenage years, of the competitive nature with school or something. And he never really mentioned it to tiger--but they start working out together, because maybe Bill has to buff up a bit for a roll and tiger needed a little extra motivation to hit the gym anyway. Bill sweating, grunting, being all strong and shit is all the motivation she needs. But tiger is a competitive little shit, and no doubt a strong one, so she just keeps trying to slaughter Bill in the gym.

But then maybe Bill remembers how much he used to love to swim--maybe he’s at a hotel one weekend for a press junket and the hotel has a pitiful gym, but a real nice lap pool. So he dives in there, gets a few lengths in, and he thinks shit...this is nice.

So when he gets back home, he tells tiger to pack a different kind of gym bag. He takes her to the local lap pool, and tiger scoffs.

“Really?” she asks, “I thought we were going to work out.”

“We are,” he smiles, “And maybe even a little friendly competition?”

“Bill, please,” she says, setting her bag down, “I was a lifeguard. Do you really want to lose this easily?”

“How about a wager, then?”

“Name it.”

“10 lengths,” he says, “Fastest one gets morning head for a week.”

“Shhhh,” she says, the cocky little shit, “Better rest those lips, baby. It’s going to be a long week for them.”

Bill doesn’t say anything, but the corner of his mouth tilts up in the faintest of smiles.

Tiger quirks a brow when Bill actually steps up onto the small podium to dive off of, because hell she was just going to cannonball in. But if he wants to be all serious about it, she’s game.

“Tell you what kid,” he says, “I’ll even give you a head start. 5 seconds. Steamboat seconds.”

But tiger doesn’t want any advantage, because when she kicks his ass--she doesn’t want him blaming something other than her sheer athletic superiority.

“Shove it, Big Bird.”

“Come on, ladies first. It’s only fair,” he waves his hand to the pool, but tiger just glares at him from her podium.

“You need it more than I do,” she snaps, “I heard that Swedes sink like icebergs.”

“Icebergs float, you idiot.”

“Hey uh,” a random stranger interrupts, because these two idiots are just standing on two podiums smack talking each other, “Do you guys want me to give you a countdown, so you can both go at the same time?”

“Yes please,” they answer simultaneously.

Bill swings his arms back and forth, and then he even crouches on the podium. Tiger just thinks it’s so cute. Using all the right ~techniques~ thinking it’ll actually help him.

“3....2.........” the dude says, “..1, go!”

And like, look. Bill could have cleared half the fucking length of the pool in just his dive, but like a good former competitor he sticks to the proper admissible length of the dive and then starts his dolphin kick.

And Bill just destroys her in the pool. Fucking destroys her. He tears through the water, his arms driving straight forth and cutting through as his legs kick. It’s a force to be seen, the speed that he glides with. He fucking destroys her. Tiger is barely done half the laps by the time Bill rolls into his final one, touching the far wall and then bobbing a little in the water to catch his breath. He gets out of the pool--just so that tiger can’t actually see where he’s at, and she really thinks she’s beating him--and then he waits.

And as she kicks forward in the final push and reaches the wall, Bill crouches down right above her, a cocky smile on his face. Tiger’s look of sheer shock when she comes up--shock that not only did he win, but he apparently won by such a large margin that he had time to exit the pool, catch his breath again, and then be hovering over her when she popped up--her look of shock is worth it all.

Bill cocks his head, water dripping from his hair down onto his broad chest, and smiles big at her. Tiger glares.

“How the fu--” she starts, but a condescending finger is smushed against her lips roughly.

“Shhhh,” he says with mock sweetness, “Better rest those lips, baby. It’s going to be a long week for them.”

#bill skarsgard #bill skarsgard drabble #BFF!Bill #funny

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clumsyracconking · 3 years

Text

A villain

Ch.5 (1403 words)

Same warnings. A friend I have said this was hard to read so I’m separating it all different now. Yeah enjoy.

Tag: @keigo-a-gogo @magical-girl-04 @imacowboy3

Once the two had settled into a grove Dab and Hawks got along well, they kind of had to considering they were living in the same one bedroom apartment. Hawks didn’t know this before but the league, or more specifically Dabi owned a club, the two of them would often go out whenever they could get Toga to leave them be. Some nights Hawks and Dabi were more than friends, to put it bluntly they fucked. If they weren't at the club or in their little shared apartment they would usually be out exploring, Hawks didn’t like killing in the night he felt it unfair. Some nights though the two would just stay up talking, and others Hawks would fly them up to the roof they first met on and they would just sit there. The two had become domestic in a sort of feral way, they dyed their hair on the same days, and even divided the house chores, Dabi was even teaching Hawks how to cook. But all good things come to an end. One night when they were out at the club Dabi left to go use the bathroom and just like that Hawks was taken.

It had been months, Dabi put all his anger into his plots to kill his father and running his club, Dabi had just figured Hawks had had enough of him and decided to leave, but that was the farthest from the truth he could get.

“I won’t say jack shit about them and you know that, you’ve been at this for months!” Hawks yelled at the hero that had been sent in for him today, he assumed he was in a basement.

“Well you know what time it is then.” Someone said, it sounded like Endeavour and honestly Hawks wouldn't be surprised if it was him, it wasn’t above Enji to hold someone in his basement and torture them.

“Yayyyyyy, time for my water!” Hawks said, he had gone insane even more so than he had been before this was how he was coping. After having been waterboarded and not spilling about the L.o.V for the day the hero who he still assumed to be Endeavour left, but a few hours later he heard a voice.

“The hell is going on here?” The youngest Toderoki whispered barely loud enough for Hawks to hear.

“Oh another one!” Hawks said almost with giddy excitement.

“Oh my God, Hawks!” Shoto whispered again, almost like he was afraid to raise his voice. As Todoroki rushed over to undo the restraints holding Hawks to the chair he had been in on and off for months he noticed the water from earlier all over the ground.

“Thanks for that buddy, but I think this is my queue to head on out.” Hawks said hacking up a lung, all that water hadn’t done him well and now that he was standing up and moving he could really feel it.

“Yeah, no that’s not happening. You can’t fly like that.” Haks knew the youngest Todoroki was right, but that didn’t mean he liked it.

“How long have you even been here?” Shoto asked the winged hero who had been missing from the hero world for around a year at this point.

“Fuck, that’s a great question. Ummm my rough estimate is around 4 months.” Hawks responded, Shoto could only wonder what Hawks had been doing when he disappeared from the hero world but that didn’t matter. No one should be treated like this.

“God I’m hungry, y’all got any food?” The fuck is wrong with this guy Shoto wondered.

“You can’t just stay here, he’ll know.” Hawks knew the boy was right but he felt like shit.

“Where do I go then?” Hawks asked the half copy of his old friend.

“Well dear old dad has some apartments around the city, you could stay in one of those.” Shoto suggested to Hawks with an alarmingly calm tone, almost as if he’d done this before. Once Shoto had somehow gotten Hawks out of the house and to the apartment, Hawks hacking up water the whole time, after getting Hawks to the well stocked bathroom Shoto decided to go make a meal, his father always had nice food in the extra homes he owned. While Shoto did that unbeknownst to him Hawks was reverting back to old habits, popping all the pain killers he knew wouldn't kill him plus a few, water to the lungs hurt like hell and Hawks was tired he wanted sleep. So that’s what he did, he went to go lay down in a bed unlike his last apartment where he had shared the only bed with Dabi, there were at least 4 beds in this apartment and no one to lay with. He missed his patch work friend, he missed the warmth of laying next to someone. In the morning Hawks was kinda bummed he woke up at all (mood), after he had accepted he was still alive he decided to sit up. Boy was that a huge mistake, it was the first time in months he had really layed down and his body was not having it.

“How sad, Alexa, play Despacito.” He said laying back down, getting up just wasn’t in the cards for the day. Alas at some point late in the day he did get up, almost puking on the ground in the process barely making it to the toilet. He really hoped his old friend had tortured him correctly and he didn’t have any brain damage, cause that would be pretty shitty. As the week passed Shoto came to check on him whenever he could sneak out of the UA dorms, Hawks is lucky Shoto decided to visit his childhood home when he did because without him he’d probably be much worse off right now. After a few months Hawks decided it was time for him to go, though he still felt like shit, he needed to see Dabi. It only took an hour to get to the club Dabi owned from where Hawks had been staying, he ended up leaving a note because he knew Shoto would rightfully so try to stop him.

Once Hawks got to the club it was around 10 pm and starting to fill up as it always did. After having been there for a bit he felt a needle go into his neck.

“Dabi says to meet him on the roof bird boy.” Hawks knew that voice anywhere, it was Toga.

“What the fuck Toga, what did you just put in me?” Toga was slightly annoyed, he disappeared over 5 months ago and now he comes back.

“It’s poison, boss man’s orders. Sorry birdy, though I would hurry up getting to the roof you'll probably black out soon.” Boss man? Hawks had so many questions to ask but he had to hurry up before the poison took effect. Exiting the club and flying up to the roof didn’t take long at all, once he had landed on the roof he found Dabi sitting there cigarette in hand.

“So poison, really. And why did Toga call you boss man?” Dabi was utterly pissed.

“You're not allowed to ask questions, You left!” Dabi said, his eyes widening in anger like they usually do whenever he’s about to kill someone who puts up to much of a fight.

“So where'd you go.” Dabi said not really asking but demanding, he needed to know what happened he felt like he’d suffocate if he didn’t.

“Well glad to see you as well. To answer the ‘where did you go’ question. I might've gotten kidnapped and tortured for a while. The little Todoroki kid found me and housed me for like 2 months, and now I’m here. Is that enough information for me to be given an antidote now.” Hawks said rather calmly, truth be told he expected much worse from Dabi, poison was just the tip of the iceberg and he knew that. Dabi decided to indulge in his curiosity, walking over to Hawks and sticking him in the neck with the antidote.

“So, boss man. Now that we’re not about to kill me can we have a conversation?”

Hawks wasn't mad about being poisoned but he wasn't entirely happy, he did know where they were coming from and why though, they thought he ran back to his old hero life.

#the prompts finally showed up #mha hawks #dabi #my writing #tw swearing #mha

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izayoichan · 4 years

Photo

“You don't mind carrying me do you Vy?” “Yes, I'll carry you!”

He carefully picks Hayden up, carrying him gently against him, trying to feel how he is, and smiling as he is somewhat stable, which is good.

“We can go now.”

Rylan looks at his phone while they walk, seeing the setup for the shoot nodding a little to himself, Hayden trying to peek over his shoulder which is hard when he is being carried.

“You and your nosiness.”

He holds up the phone so both Hayden, Vy, and Hayle can see, chuckling slightly.

“I like the third one.”

He smiles leaning his head against Vy, he also liked the last 5 bit knowing they involved Carl, he decided it best not to mention them.

“Me too! The third is cute!”

He is carrying Hayden close to himself. looking around as he walks, almost antsy as if he is expecting them to be attacked for every step that he takes, Hayden trying to make him relax a little by putting a hand on his cheek. Rylan pointing at the building in the distance, then turning to Hayle.

“You can probably go back now if you want Hayle, I'm sure we’re safe until we get there.” “ Yeah, we'll be fine, right Vy?”

Hayle stops, putting a hand on Vy’s shoulder wishing there was some way he could help with how insecure he had become. He had had several long conversations with him about it, but the worry just seemed to stick. Vy stops, hesitating a little. looks at all three of them, especially at the way both Hayden and Hayle are looking at him, looks at the ground, pulling on his lip, the hand on his shoulder feeling like a small tiny safety blanket.

“Y-yes, well be okay, I guess…” “ Okay, call me if you want me to meet you when you head home then.”

Hayle pats Lobo on the head and turns back towards home, the dog wondering why not everyone is coming but follows Hayle back home.

“We'll be fine Vy, were close to the city and all.

He smiles, putting a hand on his cheek, still trying not to be all too sweet around Rylan, knowing it hurts him to see them like it, even though he would never admit to it.

“Come on, let’s get where we are going.” “Yes... Let's go!”

He leads them to the building holding up the door, the hustle, and bustle inside making him happy, it will take his mind off things, at least for a while. Vy watches Hayle go in silence and nods, feeling Hayden's hand on his cheek, it felt a bit warm, it always did now. So he just gave a small remorseful smile as he follows Rylan, making sure to keep close to him, looking around the building noticing all the people.

“Is iceberg face going to be here?”

Rylan chuckles at Vy calling him iceberg face, it had become his name in the house after Hayden had decked him and had his hand hurt for a week.

“Sadly yes, the five last are couple shoots, and we were both requested for it.”

He walks them over to the couch where its much cooler than anywhere else in the building, some tubs with ice placed there to make sure it was cold.

“Rylan! And Hayden.

Marie looks at the last person, smiling her warm smile. Vy jumps startled at Marie, stepping back instinctively.

“And you must be Vy, right? I'm Marie. The one you bother when you want something.” “H-hi... Yes... Yvreon…”

She chuckles, stepping back a little noticing how skittish Vy seems to be.

“Now I am going to steal our brother just for a few okay?” “Hey Marie, and yes, you can steal him and yes, this is Vy or Yvreon as his name actually is, Vy just happened along the way.”

He smiles, letting Vy put him on the sofa, the life of this place always makes him feel happy somehow.

“I'll pop by with something to eat and drink, just need to dress this one first!”

She winks and pulls Rylan with her, leaving the two to just watch what is happening. Vy looking around the place and sinking on the couch next to Hayden.

“There's a lot of people here…”

He is already regretting this, just expecting to be pounced at some point. maybe have a book thrown at him or something worse? Hayden wraps his arms around Vy protectively pulling him to him.

“Thank you for coming with me, It's so nice to be out-”

He kisses him, just watching the hustle and bustle of the place, taking it all in comparison to the normal quiet off home. Vysmiles a little and kisses back.

“I'm happy you're feeling well enough to go out.”

He cups his face with a small smile.

“Do you feel warm? Do you want to go in the bath with ice water, or are you okay?” “I'm fine, for now, the fans they have made it nice and cold... are you okay? Not cold, and well... not too much with all the people?”

He still keeps his arms around him as if to protect him from the world around them, knowing he is probably scared, while at the same time in the changing room.

“Okay, what do I need?” “Oh yes, here, and here, these first those later, okay?”

Rylan nods as Marie leaves him to get dressed in the first set, noticing his hands shaking slightly, pushing the thoughts away and putting them on, and the fact that his size seems a little smaller than it normally would.

“Ah perfect, now just the makeup and then you need to wait for like fifteen? You can wait with your brother though, the ones before you are using a little more time than usual.”

Marie smiles at Rylan, who can guess who is using a bit more time. Rylan just nodding, getting his makeup done, before returning to Hayden and Vy, noticing Vy’s eyes going wide as he notices him.

“Wow, Marie really knows you don’t she?” “She does”

He sits down next to them, fiddling with his hands, the clothing something that seems right out of some fancy royals collection. Hayden noticing the fiddling of the hand, which he can guess has something to do with Carl later.

“These though are so not my style.” “Yet you look like it would be” “ Wow! So beautiful! Like a prince or a knight!”

He looks at Hayden imagining Hayden in that type of clothing, imagining he'd look quite as beautiful, maybe more maybe something with blue, like his eyes, and white, like his heart. Rylan chuckling, happy he at least didn't call him princess.

“Well it is a clothing line made for Royals, so I guess it does its job well.”

He looks at Vy seeing the way he looks at Hayden and looks away again.

“Ready Rylan?” “Yeah.”

He looks at the two, then just nodded and walked with Madelene to do the first shoots, ignoring Carl who was watching him from his solo shoot which had already taken thirty minutes more than it should.

“So, let’s get you started”

He smiles as the two start to work. Hayden looks a little worriedly at his brother, then back at Vy who is clearly thinking about something and he can guess it has something to do with the clothing, quickly sneaking a kiss.

“Now what are you imagining?”

Vy giggles with a blush reaching his cheeks.

“I think you'd look marvelous in prince clothes.

He plays with his fingers, looking sheepishly at Hayden and kissing his lips gently.

“My Heartlight prince.” “Maybe I should ask Marie to dress me up as well?

He winks at Vy, caressing his cheek.

Beginning - Previous - Next

#Rylan Ward #Hayle Ward #Hayden Ward #Yvreon Nebulae #Lobo #Marie #Carl Rosenthal #the ward legacy #Vy has never seen Rylans workplace #so it is new to him #which I think is fun #Marie is just a lovely character #and she is one of Rylan's allies at work against Carl #which is sometimes neeeed #as the man lacks some social antennas #or so #I love the idea of modeling though #so I wanted that in this story #luckily Rylan pulls the model part off with ease.#And Hayden just enjoys not being at hime #which I can relate too at times #when you are really sick #your home however lovely it might be #becomes a prison you are stuck in #and you want out #which is just what Hayden is getting today #and he is going to take in every secound he can #and yes #this was just hard to get pictures for #i hope you can forgive it as I was at it for hours with sims randomly doing what they wwanted

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castlebay-crossing · 4 years

Text

The Villager in Tent Three: Chapter One

Summary: When Aisling leaves her hometown for the island of Castlebay, as part of Tom Nook’s Deserted Island getaway package, all she expects is sun, sand and plenty of solitude. But when she gets there, not everything is as the brochure said. Secretive villagers, judgemental neighbours, and an antagonistic photographer turn out to be the least of her worries, however, when the mysterious villager in tent three turns up dead one night after a vicious storm that left the only plane off the island grounded. Someone on the island is a murderer. And it’s up to Aisling to work out who it is. Before they come after her, too.

Warning: Major character death, some description of violence

Other Links: Readable on AO3 and FFN.

A/N: Here’s the first proper chapter! I had a lot of fun with this and I’m looking forward to deepening the plot and bringing lots of little details in! Thanks to everyone who read so far and liked/reblogged, it made me very happy! I hope this next chapter doesn’t disappoint!

.-.-.

The plane had nine seats – eight for passengers and one right at the front that I assumed was reserved for an air steward. But as I quickly found out, an air steward was a luxury this old rust bucket would be lucky to have. It came as a mild surprise that they’d even bothered to fit seatbelts.

Ducking my head to avoid smacking into the low-hanging arch, I took a deep breath in for courage. The other passenger sat close to the front, fiddling with the settings on his camera. I squeezed my hips through the narrow aisle, offering him a smile he didn’t return.

The intercom crackled into life.

“Good morning, passengers, this is your pilot speaking.”

The pilot had an odd quality to his voice. It was guttural and slightly hoarse, like his vocal chords had been rubbed with sandpaper. I jumped into the closest seat available as the door sealed shut behind me.

“Welcome aboard Dodo Airlines towards our destination of Castlebay Island. Flying conditions today are good, with excellent visibility and a steady windspeed in a north, north-westerly direction. Our journey time today will be approximately one hour and twenty minutes, arriving into Castlebay Island at 11:50 AM. Please note that there will be no in-flight services or entertainment.”

Good thing I’d brought a book.

“For now, sit back, relax and enjoy the flight.”

As the plane whirred into life, I hauled my bag onto the seat next to me. It was strange to think that my entire life was packed into this bag. A life condensed to its basics. Everything I had done – everything I was – came down to a dozen changes of clothes, some toiletries and a few books. No electronics. The brochure said they wouldn’t function properly on the island. Not that it mattered. It would be too risky to bring them.

The plane was moving now. I’d flown before, many times, but nothing compared to the noise this tiny plane made as it rattled down the runway. The words in my book bounced, making no sense, and wriggled around my head like earthworms squirming in the dirt. The engines turned, and with a noise that sounded like a rumble of thunder, the plane lifted into the air. We jerked, buffeted by a sudden wind, and I grabbed the armrests, my heart thudding against my ribcage.

The plane steadied. I relaxed, feeling the vibration cease. I rested my head against the window, the whir of the propellers almost soothing in its consistency. I could see patchwork fields and silvery rivers, dotted with the occasional settlement of houses. After a few minutes, it all melted into a deep blue slab of ocean, daubed with thin wisps of cloud.

I tried to go back to reading. It was easier to fill my head with someone else’s words than my own. I’d spent weeks trying not to think too much about where I was going, but now it was nearly impossible to stave off. Exactly how “deserted” was Castlebay? The brochure said accommodation was “available” and food was “plentiful” – I wouldn’t have agreed to it otherwise – but what that translated to, I had no idea. Accommodation could be anything from a tent to a five-star hotel, although the latter I doubted. And what about other island dwellers? The fact Tom Nook was running a service largely pitched at Animals had been ticking around my brain for days. Most of the time, Animals and humans didn’t cohabitate.

Something clicked. One, twice, three times. I lifted my head out of my book and found I was staring right down the barrel of a camera.

I covered my face. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

The other passenger lowered his camera, grunted angrily at the resulting photograph and turned away again.

“Excuse me,” I tried again, trying to inject bravery into my voice. “What are you doing taking my picture?”

The photographer’s shoulders heaved. “There were no good shots from this window.”

“So what does that have to do with taking my photograph?”

“Needed to photograph something to make sure my settings were correct. It looked like a nice composition.”

I blinked. “May I see it?”

“I deleted it. You were pulling a face.”

“I see.” I said stiffly. “Well, listen, please do not photograph me again. I really don’t like it.”

He didn’t reply, already twisting his back and arms like a contortionist to point the camera at the window of the seat behind him. I looked down at my lap. The book had suddenly lost all its appeal.

“Why are you going to Castlebay?” I asked.

He took so long to answer I though he was either ignoring me or hadn’t heard me.

“Work,” he said eventually.

“Oh? Who do you work for?”

“Slice of Leaf Nature Magazine.”

I hadn’t heard of it, but I wasn’t about to admit it. “That’s cool,” I said, hoping it didn’t sound as limp to him as it did to me. “Are you well known?”

“In my field.”

“What’s your name? Maybe I’ve heard of you.”

Three more shutter clicks. “Morgan Stacey.”

“Nice to meet you, Morgan. I’m Aisling.” The name still didn’t sound right, like it was too big to fit in my mouth. “Will you be staying long?”

He pulled the camera back down and adjusted the lens. “Three months.”

“Long enough, isn’t it?” Now that I’d started talking, I found that I didn’t want to stop. “It’s scary though. But exciting. Like starting life all over again. But I suppose—”

Morgan sighed loudly, fixing me with a cool stare. “I’m sorry, but I’m actually very busy. I have a lot of work to get done. I can’t be spending all this time wittering on.”

I was surprised by the strength of my disappointment. I shrunk back into the chair and half-heartedly lifted my book again. Minutes unfurled, like molasses dripping from a spoon. I couldn’t concentrate. There was nothing much to see beyond the wing of the plane, cutting into the blue ocean like an iceberg. This was a small plane and the ocean went on for miles. Tendrils of nerves twisted in the pit of my stomach. What would happen if we went down? Would we ever be found?

I leant against the headrest and tried to regulate my breathing. What had they taught me? Breathe in four seconds, hold for seven, exhale for eight. It was hard to focus on worrying when I had to concentrate so hard on counting.

Slowly, my body relaxed. Darkness clung to the edge of my vision, soft as velvet, and my surroundings blurred like the dipping of an artist’s brush. I must have dozed, because the next thing I knew, the intercom crackled back into life.

“Attention passengers, we will soon be making our descent to Castlebay Island. At this moment, we ask that you fasten seatbelts securely in preparation for landing. Passengers flying with Tom Nook’s Deserted Island Getaway Package should note that they will be met at the airport with further information. Thank you for choosing Dodo Airlines.”

The Fasten Seatbelt light above the steward’s seat dinged and I wriggled upwards, trying to work out the crick in my back. Morgan was busily packing away his camera and wouldn’t look at me.

The weather had turned. Everything was steely grey; clouds rose like mountainous peaks and raindrops simpered against the glass. As hard as I tried, I couldn’t pick out any landmass through the packed layers of cloud.

The descent started quickly. The plane roared, leaving my ears ringing, then tilted. The clouds rose up to meet us, and as we dipped further, I tried not to look. I didn’t mind flying, but the landing made me nervous, worry fizzing in my stomach like popping candy. I glanced across at Morgan, but he was staring out the window, enraptured.

We were approaching the ocean with frightening speed. I could see something in the distance – land, I hoped – but we didn’t seem to be flying directly towards it. We were still descending towards the ocean, getting closer with every hitching breath.

“We are now approaching Castlebay Island. Please prepare for landing.”

A squeal left my lips and I shoved my hands over my mouth, as if to try to cram it back in. With a sudden drop, my stomach felt like it been detached from the rest of me and had become fully buoyant. I was engulfed by a strange feeling, like gravity gave up on holding me down. It lasted only seconds. Outside the window, I saw the plane unfold two sets of floats. Then, we slowed, almost to a crawl and the ocean was at my eye level.

We hit the water with a judder, shuddered upwards, and then came down again. With another roar, the plane slowed and then smoothly surfed forward. Morgan turned around, a deep frown creasing his face.

“Have you never ridden in a seaplane before?”

My stomach lurched and heaved. The water, separated only by a thin frame of steel, looked tar-like so close. I gasped and gripped the armrest.

“I think I’m going to be sick.”

.-.-.

“Try not to feel too bad.” Morgan said as we climbed from the plane and up onto the dock that stuck out into the water like a splinter in the finger. “You got most of it in the seat pocket, after all.”

“Shut up,” I said weakly. “I didn’t realise we were coming in on a seaplane.”

“Hmph.” Morgan folded his arms. “You won’t last five minutes on a deserted island with that weak a constitution.”

I wanted to snap back, but my churning stomach gurgled again, and I clamped my mouth shut. It was slightly better out in the open, but what I really wanted was a sit down and a glass of water. Weren’t we supposed to be met by someone at the airport?

I wandered partway down the dock, watching the water rush between the gaps in the wood. The dock opened out onto a stretch of beach, horseshoe shaped and framed by trees. Further beyond that, the island rolled away into hills and grassland. But not a single other person. Panic surged in me like a wave at high tide. Were we actually deserted? Left alone out here with nothing and no-one to help us?

Then, a voice.

“Greetings, greetings!”

I’d seen Tom Nook on his brochure, so I recognised him immediately as he hurried along the dock. “A warm welcome to Castlebay Island! So very glad to see you arrived in one piece, yes-yes!”

I forced a smile. “More or less. You must be Tom Nook?”

“That’s correct.” He extended a paw and I shook it. “Aisling, is that right?” He pronounced it wrong but I didn’t correct him. “You ordered the full Getaway Package?” When I nodded, he looked at Morgan. “So, this young chap must be our photographer, yes-yes?”

“That’s me. Morgan Stacey.” He briefly shook Tom’s paw. “Nice to meet you.”

“You booked on the three-month package, yes-yes?” He didn’t even wait for Morgan’s reply. “Excellent, excellent! I’ll have you both follow me up to Residential Services.”

He was off, waddling up the dock without a second’s hesitation. He was surprisingly fast. Morgan followed, making quick work of the distance, while by comparison, I had to force myself to catch up.

Rain spat from the leaden sky. I wanted to take in the island, be awe-struck by its beauty as the brochure promised, but as I slid across slippery sand, my stomach in knots, I was distinctly underwhelmed by the whole thing so far.

At least it was a short walk to Residential Services – I counted around six minutes. I expected a building, but it turned out to be a glorified green marquee pitched in a small clearing, surrounded by trees and loose boxes. Tom Nook joined up with two other animals in identical shirts, chatting freely in Animalese, while Morgan and I hung back awkwardly.

“We’ll keep this short as the weather doesn’t seem to be on our side today!” Tom Nook said cheerily. “On behalf of Nook Inc, we’d all like to thank you for choosing the Deserted Island Getaway Package. We hope you will be very happy here.”

A chilly wind picked up. I shivered, wishing I hadn’t worn shorts.

“As part of your orientation, we have prepared you some Welcome Packs that contain everything you need to know about the island.”

One of the smaller raccoons pushed a heavy bag towards me. “This includes a tent and some basic amenities,” he chittered. “There’s also an information pack detailing all the services we offer – including buying, selling and renovating!”

“And this…” Tom Nook handed me something, then plopped an identical one into Morgan’s hand. “…is our special Nookphone. You can use this for keeping in contact with residents and services, find guidance for island living and it’s even programmed with a map and a camera!”

“That’s… that’s very kind, thank you.” I said in a near-whisper. I couldn’t deny it felt good to have a phone in my hand again, feel connected to the world, even if, for now, the world only reached the corners of this little island.

“It is very kind.” Morgan agreed. “But I have no need for it. I have my own phone.”

Tom Nook’s nose twitched. “I’m sure you saw in the brochure, my dear Morgan, that regular phones don’t work on Castlebay Island. Signal doesn’t reach this far out, yes-yes!”

Morgan cursed under his breath, sharp words that didn’t seem right to be said in front of Tom Nook and the younger Nooklings. However, Nook carried on, seemingly unbothered.

“We will also offer workshops on crafting, fishing, bug-catching and all sorts of other fun island activities!”

It was so much to take in. A dull ache drummed at the back of my head. My legs still felt like jelly. Please let this finish soon so I can lie down somewhere.

Tom Nook looked at me sympathetically. “Although, perhaps it might be best to have you both set up your tents and get some rest before we get into the nitty-gritty, yes-yes?”

I managed a grateful smile.

“The entire island is available for you to set up your tents – though we do ask that you be mindful of other villagers and not pitch too close to their space. You can check their locations on the map already programmed in your Nookphone.”

“Other villagers?” Morgan frowned. “I wasn’t aware there’d be other villagers here. It was billed to me as a “deserted island” getaway. Doesn’t “deserted” mean “no other people”?” He said the last part with a pointed glance in my direction.

“Yes-yes! We currently have three other villagers pitched up!” Nook trilled. “It’s a very popular excursion at the moment! I’m sure they’ll be very pleased to meet you.”

What was that old expression my mother always said? Kill them with kindness. It worked like a charm on Morgan, whose cheeks pinkened.

“Well I suppose it can’t be helped. As long as no-one interferes with my work.”

He turned and stomped away, without saying goodbye or thanking Tom Nook. That left me alone with him and the two younger Nooklings. My words died in my mouth.

“Better get going, Miss Aisling!” Tom Nook said. “We’ll get plenty of time to get to know each other later, yes-yes?”

I nodded wordlessly.

I walked for a few minutes, only as far as it took for me to be certain I was far enough away from Nook and the Nooklings. A tree had been uprooted here, branches and stones littered the ground, and against a backdrop of dark skies, this wasn’t the sort of paradise I had been expecting. Something trickled down my cheek and I wasn’t sure if it was rain or tears.

The Nookphone buzzed. A tiny red notification popped up over the map icon. I pressed it, bringing up a map of the island. It looked much bigger than I originally expected, at least a couple of miles long in either direction. Four symbols showed up on the left-hand side of the screen:

Bill (Tent One)

Muffy (Tent Two)

Withheld at Villager’s Request (Tent Three)

Morgan (Tent Four)

Long-pressing the icons showed the location of each house on the map. Bill’s house was close to a bridge by the eastern river. Muffy’s house sat in a patch of flowers near to Residential Services. Tent Three didn’t show up on the map, no matter how hard I pressed. And Morgan seemed to have set up at the very top of the island, close to a rocky outcrop and a few minutes away from a thick cluster of trees.

My body ached. I needed to set up my own tent. Here was as good a place as any, I supposed, even though the area itself left a lot to be desired. The tent was simple enough to set up – Tom Nook’s capsule technology was pretty much legendary – and came with a small pink radio, a lantern and a camp bed. I tested it gingerly. It seemed to hold my weight alright, even if it wasn’t the comfiest thing in the world.

I set the radio to a random station, lay back in the camp bed and let sleep come for me.

#Animal Crossing #Animal Crossing fanfiction #Animal Crossing murder mystery #The Villager in Tent Three #Animal Crossing New Horizons #New Horizons fanfiction #Animal Crossing fanfic #I hope you enjoy!

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team-science-mega-nerds · 5 years

Text

Fictober Prompt #19: “Yes, I admit it, you were right.”

Fandom: Supergirl

Pairing: Danvarias

Warnings: Minor mentions of drug use

Thirteen miles from a bustling city with a designer landscape, quaint eateries, and a baseball team that nearly became the pride of Ohio is a rural blip on the map that is better left ignored. Duntown, which the residents resentfully call Doomstown, is a place that makes you reckon with reality. Ramshackle churches and hate crimes that people struggle to name, the folks of this city fear everything they do not know. For most that means outsiders. They turn up their noses and yell out the windows of their pick-up trucks. Go back where you came from! For some, their greatest fear is the only thing they’ve ever known - church. They drag themselves to Sunday service, seeking forgiveness for the things they cannot control.

The two most popular places in Duntown are a local bar that serves stale beer and moonshine - if you know how to ask just right - and a weekly flea market that sets up in the parking lot of the local high school. Tents and tables are propped up around potholes that will never be fixed and people banter and barter their mundane little lives away.

The biggest plight of the city takes everyone by surprise. It happens so fast that people struggle to make time between work - at a fading steel mill - and Sunday’s services to figure out exactly what’s going on. It’s a funeral of all things that sparks the interest of the collective town. Watching their children play in a field that they will probably never grow out of and eating bologna sandwiches and salad that’s nothing but iceberg lettuce and croutons, Sam’s entire life changes.

“Went to water my plants this morning. That darn water,” Deborah says shaking her head, “looked like someone done pissed in it.” It’s the way she says it, all bite and resolute, apprehension comes to a head. That’s what catches Sam’s attention. It seems like just another thing to fear, another thorn in her side. Sam’s eyes go to Ruby, she’s laughing and playing tag with her friends. Ruby’s at that age where youth slowly starts to crumble and she’ll become aware of the world around her.

Sam can see Tuffy and John sitting near a makeshift shrine of Kevin. They drink and drink, saluting their dead friend who perished on a normal workday at the mill. To date, Sam had been to seven funerals of people she’d known from high school. They all died in the same place, all had funerals presided over by the same poverty-stricken mourners, and all had after funeral receptions just like this. Tuffy and John smoked meth behind Mrs. Ainsley’s - Kevin’s mother - car. And all this was normal. All this met Sam’s expectations.

Water that she had to boil before drinking did not.

Deborah had made the comment about the drinking water six months ago and now, Sam seemed to be the only one brave enough to do something about it. Her bravery was, in fact, an accident. She’d been weaving in and out of her trailer home, trying to carry all of the groceries that she’d purchased at Costco six towns over. Ruby was supposed to be taking a bath and then going right to bed, Sam didn’t want to argue about it. Not today.

It’d been a long road, getting where they are now. Borrowing from people she despised, working extra shifts at the grocery store, and relying on nosy neighbors to babysit. Sam, you’re a pretty girl. They’ve got some good men at the mill. She’d got a daily reminder of just how cute she was by handsy men, most of whom would go on to live and die at that very mill. Now that Sam and Ruby had a place of their own, things were starting to look up. “Mom. Mom!” Sam grabs four bags at once and rushes inside. She dumps the bags and throws the bathroom door open.

“Oh, Rubes,” It’s a rash, tiny and probably inconsequential, but Sam has promised herself to always put Ruby first. Yellow water that has been slowly turning brown for months, and a rash, are enough to get Sam to make a call.

The call itself goes terribly. She doesn’t know who to ask for or how to ask for what she wants. The secretary on the other end uses big words that feel suffocating. All Sam wants is to be safe. “Do you understand? I need you to send someone who can help us feel safe.” Sam feels like she blew it the moment she hangs up. She deeply considers moving. The cost is far outside of her reach but if she asks the right people and is willing to speak to her mother again, then she can make it happen.

“Someone sent you an email!” Bernice, who everyone just calls Bezza, yells from where she’s seated in front of her trailer. Rocking and knitting like always. Sam approaches with Ruby at her side. “Remember when you showed me how to use the ‘Gmail’? Well, I guess your account is still up. The noise that email made, scared me to hell and back.”

“Who’s it from?” Sam can’t remember the last time she’d gotten an email that wasn’t about her missing a bill.

“Some law firm.” Sam nearly trips on herself as she runs into Bezza’s trailer. She pushes past mounds of newspapers and boxes of old junk and finds her desktop computer. Sam bites her nails while she waits for the computer to wake up. She listens to Bezza tell Ruby about all of her fantastic finds at the flea market that week. Sam feels nauseous.

When she finally manages to get to her email, Sam has to rifle through a bunch of spam and late fee notices to get to an email from Danvers & Danvers Law Offices:

Dear Ms. Arias,

I’ve received some initial information about Duntown and I am concerned about the lack of progress being made on behalf of your town. I’d like to come and talk to you sometime within the next few weeks. Please send me a list of dates and times that you are available to meet and we will work something out.

Alex Danvers LL.M.

Sam rereads the email five times before typing out her response. She’s embarrassed that she’s only free to meet after eight most days, but she leaves room for other suggestions like a phone call. She sends the email and immediately gets a response. They’ll meet at The Tipsy Cow at 8:30 the following day. “Mom, you took like fifty years,” Ruby, who is far too aware and mature for a nine-year-old, says as they walk back to their trailer. “Bezza smells like mothballs.” Ruby hops up the steps one by one and they enter and both go in search of something that will pass for dinner.

“I had to answer an email,” Sam explains. “Don’t comment on how people smell unless it’s nice.”

“I like moths.” Ruby finds an apple in the fridge and munches on that while Sam gets to work on Hamburger Helper. “Who emailed? Delany’s mom got a new boyfriend. They went to Chicago for the weekend.” Sam wishes she could tell Ruby that Delany’s mom’s new boyfriend is an alcoholic who has questionable world views. Instead, she remains silent. “Can we go to Chicago?”

“Someday.”

“There’s a giant bean there!” Ruby gets lost in an old Almanac, Sam starts to think that she’s made a grave mistake. Big corporations don’t take too kindly to meddling women. Sam’s a nobody, she knows that and what kind of lawyer travels all the way from National City just to talk? If Sam had a computer of her own, she’d email this Alex Danvers right now, and tell him to forget it. But dinner and bedtime stories get in the way of those thoughts.

Sam is hunkered down at work just enough to forget all about it until it’s six-thirty and Ruby is asking why she has to stay at Deborah’s house that night. “I have to meet someone and I don’t know how long it’ll take. You like Deborah.”

“I like you more,” Ruby tells her pouting and sulking the whole walk over. The minute they arrive at the ranch house, Ruby sees Scout, an Australian Shepherd mix, and she forgets all of her misgivings.

“Everything alright?” Deborah asks as they both watch Ruby, and her oversized backpack, bouncing around the yard. “You finally meeting someone?”

“A lawyer. Just to talk about the water situation.”

Deborah turns very serious. “You be careful now,” She warns, echoing the same tone that Sam’s mother had when she told her about this last night. Sam kisses Ruby goodbye and returns home to change into something more presentable. She settles for a turquoise shift dress and white platform sandals. The bar is close which is good for most people in the trailer community but terrible for Sam. On more than one occasion, there have been fights that have broken out right outside of Sam’s window. For now, she considers it a good thing that she lives so close, otherwise, she might have been late.

The Tipsy Cow represents all the good and bad of the town. Everyone certainly knows everyone but that means that things often boil over and get heated in these very walls. Sam normally wouldn’t be caught dead alone in this place but it’s 8:30 and she doesn’t think she’ll have to wait long.

Unless this big city lawyer is late.

Sam orders a club soda and finds a booth in the back. They’ll need a quiet place to talk and there are too many mill workers crowding the bar and watching some baseball game that Sam could care less about. There’s a little bit of a lull, which Sam hardly notices until one of the mill workers barks - yes, barks - at a woman who’s just entered the bar. That kind of ruckus signals outsider, so Sam lifts her head to see what’s going on. The woman is wearing a grandad collar white button-up, mid-wash blue jeans, and a blazer that could probably pay off Sam’s mortgage. The briefcase is the thing that catches Sam’s attention the most.

Oh, she sits up properly, Alex Danvers is a woman.

Alex doesn’t notice Sam just yet. She checks her expensive watch, mutters fuck, and orders something from the bar. When Sam sees the bartender going for the tap, Sam rises to her feet and approaches. “I’d advise against that.” Alex turns looks between Sam and the bartender and taps her head as if to say ‘duh’.

“Long drive. The brain’s on autopilot.” Alex motions to the bartender. “I’ll take a soda.”

“We say pop around here,” Sam informs the lawyer. Once Alex has her soda, she follows Sam to the booth, and extends her hand. “So, you’re Alex.”

“Yep. And you’re Sam?”

“Yes.” Sam sits first. Alex slides her briefcase into the seat across from Sam and takes off her blazer before sitting.

“Am I late?”

“Only by a few minutes.” Sam smiles. “I see you got a good Doomstown welcome,”

“Doomstown?”

“This place. It’s a nickname of sorts.” Alex frowns.

“Doesn’t look doomed from where I’m sitting.” Sam toys with her straw trying not to get distracted by Alex placing her briefcase on the table. Alex pulls out a few documents and sets them on the table. “I’ve been doing a lot of reading. Coores & Phillips Company seems to be the main corp involved. They have the proper ordinances to drill in Cook and Favors county, but as you know, they’ve been drilling near the border here.” Alex goes to take a drink of her soda, but Sam reaches forward and grabs the glass first. “What?”

“Don’t drink that.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“The bartender put moonshine in that.” Sam quickly lets go of the glass when she realizes that their fingers are touching. Alex laughs, uncomfortably, at the very suggestion that she’d get her drink spiked. “I’m serious.”

“I can handle my liquor.”

“Don’t be...stupid. We’ve got no-joke moonshine out here.” There’s a competitive drive in Alex. Sam imagines that makes for some magic in the courtroom. “Those papers can tell you plenty but not enough. This place isn’t some cute little town that needs big city saving. It’s been six months, soon people are going to start fighting back.”

“And how would they? Fight back I mean.”

“You see those guys?” Sam nods toward the men at the bar, cheering for a homerun. “When they’re not working, they’re drinking. And if they’re drinking and on crank, then guns get involved.”

“We’ll need a town hall meeting. Something to show everyone that the problems are being addressed.” Alex takes a sip of her drink and grimaces. “We did a case in Texas two years ago. A nice settlement too.”

“How much were the lawyer fees?”

Alex shakes her head. “No, no, nothing like that. This is pro-bono-.”

“I’ll pay. We’ll scrape money together. I’m not a charity case.” Alex seems to recognize Sam’s seriousness, so she lets it go in favor of mulling something over in her mind.

“Show me.”

“Show you...what?”

“This town. Show me what I’m missing.” Alex pays for their drinks and manages to polish off the rest of her soda before following Sam out of the bar. They get another bark on their way to Alex’s car, Sam turns sharply.

“Fuck off!” She warns. She’s seen these guys before. Heard their poor pickup lines. She won’t let them bully what might be their saving grace.

“Oh, mommy’s pissed,” One of them says as Alex unlocks her car. Alex looks like she might say something, but Sam grabs her arm and continues to pull her along. When they’re in Alex’s SUV, which is a black Porsche Cayenne, Alex looks over at her sympathetically.

“You have a kid?”

“A daughter.” Alex will probably ask more but for now, she drives out of the parking lot and down the road. “Nice car.”

“Thanks,” Alex says a slight smile on her face.

“I was being sarcastic, you can’t drive this thing around.” Sam points to her trailer which is only a block away. “You need to pull over there. You can park by my place.” Alex follows directions well but seems less than eager when they get out of the car and start walking. “Don’t worry.”

“I’m not worried,” Alex lies. They approach the church. Sam hasn’t stepped foot in there in four years and counting. Alex seems to acknowledge her jitters by slowing near the front door. “This the kind of place for you?”

“Girls like me avoid places like that,” Sam tells her. “Didn’t always. Things change.” The streets are quiet on the weeknights. The further you get from the bar, the easier it is to forget what kind of town this is. Sam glances up at the sky, the pollution from the mill has changed the whole world from Sam’s perspective. She doesn’t want Ruby growing up in a place without stars and with rusty water. “You shouldn’t take this case.”

“Why not?”

“I saw the way you looked at those guys. Like you wanted to say something or fight.” Sam stops Alex before they reach the long pathway that leads to the mill. “But you didn’t.”

“I would’ve. Easily. You don’t know me.” Alex sticks her hands in her pockets. “My mom would say that this is a lost cause. That we’ll get buried under big corporate lawyers, but our firm is solid. We’ll get you paid-.”

“If you think any of this is about money, then you don’t understand.”

“I do understand.” Alex touches the small of Sam’s back. She isn’t certain what to make of the gesture but she’ll remember it in case things take a turn for the worst. “Whoa.” Alex bends over with her hands on her knees. “Fuck.”

“What?”

“That moonshine.”

“Oh,” Sam laughs. “Yeah, it takes a bit to bite you like that.” Sam wraps her arm under Alex’s shoulder and guides her back down the road. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I could just use some water, which...I recognize is a problem.”

“I have bottled water at home.” Even though they’re strangers, Sam feels comfortable enough with Alex to invite her into her trailer. For one, there’s nothing worth stealing in the place. And two, Alex has just decided to put so much on the line to help out. Sam wishes she’d cleaned up more. Or maybe folded up her couch so it would look like there was more space but Alex seems mainly focused on water, so Sam buries her shame.

“Thanks,” Alex mumbles as she leans against the counter and downs half the bottle. Sam tries not to stare when Alex untucks her shirt and looks around the modest kitchen.

“I told you not to drink that shit.”

“Okay, yes, I admit it. You were right.” Alex shrugs it off. Sam sits at the tiny wooden table and starts unlatching her sandals. When she’s finished and looks back up at Alex, she’s struck by the fact that Alex’s eyes are already on her. Like she’d been watching her. “Um...I’ll go. You have your kid and everything-.”

“She’s staying at a friend’s place.” Sam doesn’t know why she jumps in to say that but she does know that everything has a cost. If Alex wasn’t accepting payment from her, then she must want something. Sam takes a chance, a small one, and stands shoulder to shoulder with Alex. She’s been here before, giving recklessly. Never with Ruby around but there were times where desperation took hold. “I could repay you…” Sam has never had to say much to anyone, just show casual interest and they would find a way to take control.

Alex is different, Sam learns right away, taking a step away and putting her water bottle down. “You’re a good person, Sam. I am too.” Alex lets out a breath. “We can work together, can’t we? Probably better when I’m not this drunk.”

“I wasn’t…” Sam shakes her head. “In this place, things sometimes get warped.”

“It’s okay,” Alex says sincerely. “And in honor of us understanding each other. Would it be possible for me to sleep here tonight? On the couch, on the floor...whichever.”

“Of course you can.” By the time Sam has gathered a pillow and blanket from the closet, Alex is already snoring softly on the couch. Sam covers her with a blanket, locks the doors, and goes into her own bedroom. Outside of feeling embarrassed by basically offering sex as payment, Sam is remarkably thrilled with her day. Even in her tiny room that often makes her feel like a child, Sam is floored by the possibilities that the future brings.

Doomstown might not be doomed quite yet and if the fight that Sam has seen crop up in Alex’s eyes is any indication, they might actually have a chance. Sam doesn’t like to get her hopes up. She kneels at her bedside, crosses herself, and prays for the first time since she was in high school. She wants to be safe and for once, someone understands that.

When she wakes up, Sam finds Deborah and Ruby in the kitchen. They’re both eating cereal and Deborah is boiling the water for the coffee maker. Neither seems all that phased, especially Ruby who points to the other room with her spoon, “Who’s that in there?”

“That’s Alex, she’s a lawyer.” Deborah arches a brow at Sam. Sam peeks into the room and finds Alex exactly where she left her.

“What’s she doing here?” Ruby whispers as she looks over the couch at Alex.

“She’s going to help us get clean water.”

“Really?!” Ruby yells. She bolts to where she can get face to face with Alex whose eyes open slowly. She has to blink a few times to remember where she is but when she does she smiles at Ruby and says ‘hi’. “You’re gonna help us?”

Alex looks to Sam and then sits up a little. “Yeah, I’m gonna help you.” On their way to check to see if Alex’s car got stolen Alex observes the town in the light of day. Bezza is rocking away in her chair. The hazy overcast does nothing to deter Alex’s smile. Even shouting from inside a trailer doesn’t seem to frighten her. “I like it here,” Alex tells Sam.

“Really?”

“I like the people at least.”

The next time Alex Danvers comes into town, it’s to rent an entire building out for her team. They parade in with their fancy cars and nice suits but they immediately get to work. The drilling ceases for a week and after what seems like a standoff - marked by a lot of yelling in and outside of town hall - Alex takes the Coores & Phillips Company to court. The win comes suddenly, after months and months of proceedings. The big corporation senses the uneasiness and after a few men from the mill, high on meth, blow up a drill, it’s fairly obvious that this is a war they won’t win. Alex knocks at Sam’s door, sweaty from jogging over to this side of town, she is elated and Sam knows that finally, everything is right in their little burden of a town.

Two weeks later, while Ruby, Deborah, and Bezza are playing cards, Sam announces that she’s going to take a shower. Alex looks up from where she’s seated, after losing in the very first round, and follows Sam into the hallway. “Don’t make me get a restraining order,” Sam jokes.

“This is actually...about that night.”

“I’ve known you for about a year. There’s been plenty of nights.” The hallway is barely a hallway. Just a sliver of space that leaves only a few inches between their bodies.

“The first one.” Alex rolls her eyes, knowing that Sam will wait until she says exactly what she means. “We could’ve, you know. Ended up in bed together.”

“You wouldn’t have been very good. From what I remember you were all valiance and moonshine.”

“That stuff was so strong, I might still be all moonshine.” Alex puts her hand on Sam’s waist, it’s the most direct she’s ever been with something outside of the courtroom. “I’d like to try again. Properly, I mean.”

“That’s sweet.”

“You aren’t interested?” Alex questions sadly.

“I am interested. But more so in you joining me for a shower.” Sam holds Alex’s face in her hands and smiles. “Show me you belong in this crazy little town. Show me what you’re made of.”

“We can hear everything you’re saying!” Deborah yells from the kitchen. Alex and Sam crack up laughing, hustling into the bathroom, and taking off their clothes.

#danvarias #sam arias #alex danvers #supergirl #agentreign #gestures casually: yes this is another fucking small town AU #there will be more to come

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barnesthesarge · 5 years

Text

Safehouse

Bucky X Reader

Summary: You’re a nighttime vigilante, and become something between friends and more with the Winter Soldier. There comes a day you’ll have to take off your mask though. TAKES PLACE AFTER THE EVENTS OF ENDGAME

Warnings: Swearing, angst, fluff!!

IF YOU’D LIKE TO SUPPORT ME AND MY WRITING PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO MY KO-FI (: ENJOY!!

The familiar THUD of Bucky joining you on the rooftop was more than welcome, “Hey Nov, hungry I hope?” You grinned as he sat beside you, he handed you a cheeseburger that you happily accepted.

“Stopping crime does leave one hungry.” Bucky was the closest person in your life, and yet he didn’t even know your actual name.

“I figured, plus its prime-midnight snack time.” He bumped shoulders with you, pulling his hair into a bun. “What’ve you achieved so far?”

“Stopped a jewelry heist, a bar fight, and took a nap against that wall over there.” You shrugged, “How’s avenging?” Bucky’s world was much different from yours.

“Same ol’.. Can’t legally tell you much, took down another HYDRA base, can’t tell you where. Unless you want to join the Avengers.” He winked at you and you rolled your eyes.

“Too much for me personally, its the fact I get to do this on my own terms, and that I can stop little things from hurting people worse. I like it down here Buck. Have you seen Steve lately?” You changed the subject off the Avengers job opportunity again.

“Today actually, yeah.” Bucky rolled his shoulders and moved his legs so his thigh would be touching yours, “He’s still an old bastard. Don’t tell anyone though.” You chuckled and leaned against his shoulder.

“No one knows I’m Novan, I’m not a credible source.” Bucky’s arm was around your waist, holding your hip.

“Just like I know you’re Novan, but somewhere in New York, you’re someone else.” He sighed, “Are you ever gonna even tell me what you actually do for a living?”

“I work a couple jobs.” You drummed your fingers on his knee, “I didn’t go to school, so I take what I can get without a degree.”

“You can be my personal assistant if you want, I’ll pay you handsomely.” You elbowed him in the ribs and he groaned, “What? You act like it would be awful, maybe if you want a better pay, and one job, you can come be an Avenger, we get our own floors to ourselves.”

You heard a commotion down the street and looked at Bucky, he nodded and you both jumped off the roof and through the portal you conjured. You landed down the street in front of a corner bank, where a couple men were using crowbars to break open the ATMs.

You used your purple magic to sound the alarm, while Bucky took on two of the men. You took down the other one by making a portal under one of the fallen crowbars and making it land on the thug’s head. Once all three of the thieves were knocked out, you both ducked out of the bank and escaped to another rooftop.

“God you make it so easy.” Bucky cupped your face and pressed a quick kiss to your lips and you kissed him back. “Please joi--” You kissed him again and he tried to reach for your mask.

“Quit that!” You smacked his hand away and he grumbled.

“I just wanna see the face of the badass girl I like kissing.” He pouted.

⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸

The bookstore was never crowded, so it was a good time to watch the news and see if anything new popped up. You sometimes texted Bucky, but he often had meetings and other avenger stuff that needed to get done. It was nice that he never actively tried to track you down, he established trust between the two of you, it was relieving to have someone to talk to about superhero stuff.

You pulled your phone out and sighed, when a loud explosion shook everything around you, the glass windows shattered and shelves fell over, spilling books and display items. You flew back and hit the wall behind you, groaning loudly.

“Is there anyone in here?” The familiar voice called, you whined in response and Bucky weaved through debris and jumped over the counter, landing beside you. “Hi miss, there’s currently a HYDRA attack going on, and I’m trying to evacuate the surrounding blocks. How hurt are you? Can you stand?”

You rubbed dust from your eyes, Bucky didn’t recognize you thankfully, “Mhmm.” You replied and let him help you to your feet.

“Cool, that’s great, you really scared me for a second, I’m Bucky, what’s your name?” You touched the back of your head and looked at your hand to see blood.

“Y/N.” You mumbled while he helped you through all the scattered pieces of shelves and glass, “I’m okay Buck-y-you can leave me now. Go help everyone else.”

“No can do, you’re injured Y/N, come on, come this way.” You pulled your arm from his grasp.

“No no, my car is this way, I can just--” You grabbed the wall to stop your swaying.

“You can’t drive like this, do you even have your keys?” He teased, grabbing your forearm.

“I’ve had worse, goodbye Bucky.” You pulled from his hold again and started back down the littered sidewalk, you could hear more booms in the distance.

“No Y/N, just come with me, why don’t you tell about yourself?” You heard the distant moaning of someone in danger and didn’t hesitate to go right into one of the destroyed shops, finding a woman trapped underneath the rubble, “Here I got this Y/N.” Bucky reached her first and you used the opportunity to slip out and stumble to your car.

You drove straight to your apartment and put on your suit, ignoring the pain in the back of your head, slipping on your mask. You teleported to one of the neighboring buildings and helped Bucky from the rooftop, but there was too many men and you saw them take him down, trying to drag him onto a ship. you jumped from the building and opened a portal, landing behind them. You heard mechanical wings behind you but ignored them as you opened portals below the HYDRA agents’ feet, watching them fall to the ground from a high place.

You ran to Bucky’s side and Sam Wilson himself landed beside you, a gun pointed at you, “Who the hell are you?” He demanded.

“A friend of Bucky’s.” You replied, staring at him hard until he lowered the gun.

“Bucky doesn’t have any friends.” He replied and you rolled your eyes, and the HYDRA jet turned on, “However for the time being I’ll allow you to help, because we kinda need to get out of here, they want him to make him the winter soldier again. You mind teleporting us somewhere safer?”

“How far?” You asked as the ramp opened up again and more agents began to flood out.

“As far as possible, they aren’t gonna stop!” He raised two guns in each hand but the floor beneath you three opened and you fell to the ground in front of an old farmhouse you grew up in. “Where the hell are we!?” Sam yelled, guns still raised.

“My safe house, welcome to Montana.”

⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸

You and Sam both lugged Bucky inside, everything had remained untouched but now dusty, you set him on the couch and held his face in your hands, “How do you know Bucky? And who even are you?”

“Well..” You took your mask off and set it on the table, “I’m Y/N, but Bucky knows me as Novan. We met on a rooftop like nine months ago and sometimes fight crime together.” You knew it was only the tip of the iceberg, but Sam didn’t need to know about the make out sessions, or the cuddling on rooftops, or late night talks, or all the epic team-ups.

“You’re Novan? The vigilante?” You nodded. “I sent Bucky to find you nine months ago and you’re telling me that you two have been friends ever since? He was supposed to make you join the Avengers or stop crime-fighting.”

“Bucky tried, give him some credit, it isn’t everyday you run into an enhanced that teleports..” You shrugged and felt around his scalp for any blood.

“You like him, don’t you.” Sam crossed his arms and you felt a blush creep up your neck. “He must like you if he didn’t bring you in.”

“Well yeah, that’s why we’re friends. I take care of the crimes the Avengers don’t have time for, and the crimes that police take forever to solve.” You touched the back of your head again, the small cut had scabbed over.

Sam started taking off his combat gear, “Thanks for taking us far, they won’t catch up anytime soon. Does this old place have food by chance?”

“Um..”

“Or maybe clothes? Possibly a shower?”

“Slow down, yes there’s clothing, and a shower, I’ll have to get some food though, it’s been a while since anyone has been here.” You led Sam into your brother’s old room, “Can you pull some clothes out for Bucky too please?” He nodded and you went back to Bucky’s side. “Hey Buck, its Nov, everything is okay and you’re safe, I’m gonna get us some food.”

Sam came back out wearing a graphic t-shirt and pants that were too short for him, “Maybe you can pick some clothes up?” He looked embarrassed.

“Sam, you can also check in the master bedroom, the closet will have more clothing, any requests for food?”

⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸

When you came in, lugging several bags of groceries, Bucky was still laying on the couch unconscious, Sam was sporting a pair of your dad’s old dress pants and had laid an outfit out for Bucky, “There’s more stuff in the car if you could help me.”

“Jesus what year is that thing from?” Sam looked at the rust bucket of an old car sitting out front.

“I don’t know, the 70′s?” You plugged the refrigerator in and started unloading the bags.

After you both ate freezer meals, you showed Sam to the working shower, “We should probably let the water run for a lil’.” The water ran brown for a couple minutes before it became clear and Sam deemed it good enough.

“Hurt Barnes and its your head.” He threatened.

You glared at him and went back out to the living room, Bucky hadn’t even moved. You sighed and sat on the floor, leaning against his large shoulder, Sam cleared Bucky, saying he was only knocked out and would wake up tomorrow, but that didn’t change the fact that now two avengers were going to know your name and your secret identity.

⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸

You were up early the next morning and went outside to clean the old family car to keep your mind off the fact Bucky would be waking up today, and then he was going to know what you looked like, and your name, and know that he met you the same day. The front door opened and Sam stepped out, he had a mug of coffee in his hand and a muffin in the other.

“Mornin’, Bucky should be waking up any time now.” You put the hose down and nodded, looking at your feet, “Does Bucky even know what you look like?”

“No.” You answered, “He doesn’t even know my name.”

Sam pursed his lips, “And you still want me to trust you with both of us?”

“He’ll know me Sam.” Sam nodded in response.

“That thing looks better cleaned like that.” He went back inside without another word and you turned to finish the car. By the time you finished fifteen minutes had passed, you went inside and heard voices.

“Sam where are we?!” Bucky’s voice was panicked, “Someones here.” His loud footsteps echoed over the squeaky floorboards. You felt your whole body stiffen and his crazed eyes on you before you could even react.

“Bucky hey hey, calm down buddy.” Sam grabbed Bucky’s shoulders, “She’s friendly, and saved our asses. I believe you two have a history?”

“Yeah, I saved her out of a bookshop that blew up, and then she disappeared.” Bucky had a knife in his hand.

“N-no, Buck its me, its Novan.” He pulled away from Sam and took a couple steps towards you.

“Nov?” He put the knife into a holster and waited, you shyly nodded, “Is your name actually Y/N or did you lie?”

“Yeah its Y/N. Why else do you think I tried getting away from you yesterday?” Bucky sighed and nodded.

“Okay. So where are we?” You bit your cheek.

“Montana.” You replied, Sam left the room to leave you both alone. “How did we get here? And who’s house is this?” Bucky looked crestfallen. “I opened a portal, and this is my house, it’s just a bit outdated..Does your head hurt? You got hit pretty hard, and I bought some pain pi--” “I’m fine.” He answered curtly. “Are you mad at me or something? Because trust me I don’t find this ideal either, and I didn’t want to tell you about who I am or take off my mask unless it was my choice and I didn’t really have one and--” “Stop making this about you. Who’s house is this? There’s bedrooms with kid stuff and you don’t have kids.” Bucky grumbled, hand on the hilt of his knife. “This is my house Buck, my family and I used to live here.” You sat down, “If you could please not ask anything about them it would be great, Sam asked me to take you guys somewhere safe and far from New York so I did as I was asked. You were unconscious and right now I might be marked down as dead or missing in New York because I’m here and not at work and the bookstore is--” “No one is asking you to stay!” Bucky grumbled, “You have the means to leave so why don’t you just go. Sam and I can handle this from here, we don’t need you Y/N. We won’t trash your family home or whatever, just leave.” Your heart stung, the closest person you had didn’t want you around, “Oh.” You managed, “Yeah that makes sense.” You walked past him and said bye to Sam, wishing him luck. You didn’t spare a glance at Bucky, instead you went straight out the front door and into a portal leading to your apartment in New York. ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ That night you found yourself patrolling again, trying to think about anything but Bucky, maybe he was disappointed in the way you looked, or maybe he was mad you left him in New York to get your car. The list went on forever, but you couldn’t help the sting of thinking maybe he thought you were less than average looking. Bucky had always said he didn’t care what you looked like, that he knew you deep down and that was what he liked so much about you. You were so deep in thought you didn’t notice the figure standing on the building across the street until he hit you with a tranquilizer, and you tumbled over into a heap on the roof. ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ “Where did you send them?!” He demanded again, you groaned as he tased you again. Your body was too weak to teleport, and your mind was almost ready to begin to give in to what the man wanted to know, where Sam and Bucky were. He asked again and sent another painful shock up your spine, your brain was so fuzzy.“I se-sent them to--” You groaned in pain, “To this beach house i-in North Carolina.” You choked out and he shocked you again. “You’re going to give us the address, and hope for your sake that they’re there.” He grabbed you by the arm roughly and put you back into the holding cell designed for someone as strong as Bucky. You pulled yourself off the floor and against the wall, pulling your knees to your chest as one of the guards watched your struggle with amusement, you swore the second you’d get your powers back to kill him right after the one who tortured you. The agent came back, this time with his boss, “She says they’re in North Carolina.” His boss opened the door, a large gun attached to his hip.“North Carolina, huh? What’s the address?” He sneered at you, kicking your shin, you whined in protest. “I need you to show me a map, and I’ll give you the address, it was a house we broke into. It’s not exactly beach season right n--” He slapped you and you reeled to the side. “Get a map.” He ordered the other agent, “I only want the address, not your reasoning for choosing it. Now why don’t you tell me why you aren’t with them?” You looked away shamefully, why on earth were you protecting Bucky? “I’m not an Avenger, this wasn’t my business, I just got mucked up in it, see what good it gives me to help Avengers? You think I want this?” You spat at his feet and he bent over once more, when the agent came back. The man in charge gave you a warning look but brought the map down to your eye level, handing you a pen.You dragged your eyes along the map until you found the little vacation town you visited as a kid, circling it, “That town right here, it’s on..” You studied the map closer, “Its on Cedar street, the only house on the street, you can’t miss it.”The boss eyed you for a moment longer and handed the map to the other agent, “Get this to the pilot, now.” He bent down to your eye level, “I think you’re more useful than you let on.” ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ You were left on the ship with the annoying guard while all the other agents surrounded an empty beach house, and once they realized this was just a decoy, you were gonna die. It would be your final resting place, the same as your families’. The accident that killed them and gave IGH permission to mutate your DNA. Now you would be buried with them, and hopefully get to rest. You waited for what felt like ages, with no chance of your powers kicking in anytime soon. You began to hear several gunshots and furrowed your eyebrows, “They’re killing them?” You asked the guard and he laughed.“There’s no need for the soldier anymore, we have you.” He grinned maliciously and then there was a hole in his head. His body slumped over and you gasped in horror at the amount of blood leaving his body, “Nov thank god!” Bucky rushed in and broke the door open with his left arm.“Bucky?” He helped you up and you didn’t dare to meet his eyes, “How’d you find me?” “Sam and I came back to New York and I felt bad so I looked up where you lived and saw you weren’t home so I knew you were out Nov-ing it up and I saw you get shot and taken away so we followed in the Quinjet.” Bucky pulled you out of the cell and helped you walk to their jet. “Why did you take them here?” He asked and you looked away.“My family is buried here and I knew they were gonna kill me when they discovered that I lied, and I’d rather be buried with my family.” Bucky wrapped his arms around you and you didn’t move. “Y/N they wouldn’t have killed you. You heard that guard, they were going to keep you and use you as an assassin.” He paused, “I’m sorry about your family, I didn’t know.” You didn’t know what to say so you didn’t speak, and Bucky let you go, “I’m sorry about how mean I was back in Montana, I was upset that you didn’t get to do things on our own terms and I took it out on you. Thank you for saving me from HYDRA.” Sam came in and smiled at you.“Hi Y/N, nice to see that you aren’t dead. FRIDAY take us home.” The jet started and took off, Sam eyed you and Bucky and went into the medical room. “It’s whatever.” You mumbled, “Is there any food or water on this thing? I’m dying.” Bucky stood up without another word and grabbed a water bottle and a bag of chips, he sat away from you and didn’t say anything for the rest of the flight. You ended up falling asleep and not remembering ever getting home. When you got up the next morning Bucky was in your living room laying in the couch.“What’re you doing here?” Every muscle in your body protested every movement you made. “Making sure you’re alright.” He answered softly, he got up and guided you to sit down, “Let me make you breakfast.” You leaned back again the couch with no objections. “I thought you were being a dick because you thought I was ugly if I’m being honest.” You spoke up, Bucky looked at you and raised his eyebrows. “Y/N, you’re quite literally the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen, shut up.” You leaned your head back and looked at the ceiling, Bucky moved to stand above you and chuckled at you, “Havin’ fun there?” “My muscles hate me from all that shocking.” You frowned and Bucky bent down to press a soft kiss to your forehead. “You should’ve just given us up.” He rubbed the sides of your face affectionately. “I’ll keep that in mind next time I help you two hide.” Bucky grinned and went back into the kitchen. “Don’t worry doll, I’m here taking care of you until you’re better, Mr. Captain America himself gave me time off.” He winked at you and you rolled your eyes. “You better, like you said I should’ve just given you up.” Bucky glared at you playfully and walked a plate with an omelette.“I’m forever in debt to you Nov.” Bucky smirked at you and went back into the kitchen to get something for you to drink.“That’s nice to hear, you’re a good kisser.” ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ You groaned in complaint as Bucky rolled over, nearly crushing you in the process, “Buck.” You tapped his head with your palm. “Buck get off your killing me.”“Mmm you’re a good pillow.” He hummed and moved to get comfier.“Bucky you literally weigh a ton, get off me.” You felt much more awake and portal-ed him onto his side of the bed.Bucky opened his eyes and looked at you, “That was the meanest thing you’ve ever done to me!” He turned away from you, taking all the blankets in the process.“Worse than the time I teleported bird poop on your motorcycle for April fools?” You moved to spoon him and get back under the blankets. “Much worse. Even if the motorcycle is my baby.” He scooted himself back to be more up against you. “What am I, chopped liver?” You buried your face into his short hair and sighed. “No, you’re just mean.” You giggled on his head and felt him laugh. “Fine. You can use me as a pillow, just gentler please?” You let him go and rolled back onto your own pillow and Bucky squirmed to snuggle into the crook of your neck and wrap and arm around you. You caged him in your arms and ran a hand through his hair slowly, “That’s more like it, you can be my baby again.” You rolled your eyes, “You know we have a mission briefing in an hour, right?” Bucky buried his face farther into your neck. “You also know that if we’re late again Sam won’t let us go on missions together anymore, right?” Bucky whined.“Five more minutes? Keep playing with my hair Nov.” You bit your lip in satisfaction and continued. “Five more minutes.” You said sternly, knowing Bucky would somehow turn the next five minutes into fifteen, and that you’d be ten minutes late to the briefing from getting distracted together in the shower. You also knew that it didn’t matter, because Sam knew you and Bucky made a great team, and that’s why you were celebrating your six month anniversary of officially dating when you got back from the mission. “I love you Y/N.” Bucky mumbled sweetly, pressing a tiny kiss to your neck. “I love you too Buck.” ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ ⫸ Fin !! A/N: I’ve been wanting to write this for a little bit now hehe, I hope you guys enjoyed it!!!

#bucky #Buck #Bucky Barnes #james buchanan barnes #james bucky barnes #The First Avenger #the white wolf #the winter soldier #Winter Soldier #the winter soldier x reader #the winter solider imagine #the winter solider x reader #james barnes #sargent james barnes #Avengers #avengers fanfiction

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safyresky · 4 years

Text

Away With The Fae

Summary: Charlie is Stressed, and Jacqueline knows exactly what will help him wind down...a night out with the Legates! Join Charlie the day after as he tries to piece together what happened, and why he now has $1000 (in cash), new running shoes, and...red hair dye?

Based on a prompt I read on tumblr ages ago which I’ve put below:

Your OC just woke up in their living room with hair dye, new shoes, and a note with 1,000 cash taped to it. What happened? (from the which-oc-would tumblr: post/159733622744/your-oc-your-oc-just-woke-up-in-their-living) (I know charlie isn’t my OC, but my OCs would definitely be the cause of Charlie in this situation so HERE YOU GO)

Warnings: a sprinkling of f-bombs, several mentions of alcohol. Alcohol is a huge driving force in this fic tbh so if that squicks you, I’d recommend against reading this smile shot!

---

Away With The Fae

Charlie's head really hurt. Like, bad. He opened his eyes and groaned—the light coming in from the front window was Not Good. Tumbling off of the couch and tripping over a box, Charlie fought the blinds closed and lay face down on the floor, glad for the darkness.

He wondered why he was in his living room. He thought he would be up in his room after his night out, not in the living room. And at the Pole, not his place near campus. The events of the night were kind of fuzzy. What was the box he had tripped over?

He rolled back to the couch and picked it up. It was hair dye. A bright red colour. He felt his heart race as he sat up and quickly ripped open the box; his relief when he realized that it was still full. He grabbed a bit of his hair and pulled it down towards his face—yup, still brown. Phew. He needed a haircut badly.

He put the box down and sighed, when he noticed a new pair of shoes on his feet. Why did he have those? Why didn’t he take them off when he got in? He pulled them off, trying to recall when he bought them and frowned. He couldn’t remember where they were from. He put them down beside the hair dye, which was all in a neat pile at the side of the couch with a note.

A note?

He picked up the note and gasped as he flipped it over.

"Holy shit."

Taped to the note was a huge wad of cash. He counted it out: there was one thousand dollars. Ten whole Benjamin Franklins staring up at him.

"What the fuck?" He whispered, putting the cash down and reading the note.

Hey Charlie,

Sorry about the hangover. You passed out after deciding to dye your hair. Jacqueline said we should do it anyway, but I figured that maybe it would be better if you were awake and not drunker than Bacchus to make that decision. We tucked you in and put the dye beside you. Feel free to text me if you decide you want to do it! I know a thing or two about beauty ;)

With Love,

Dite

Well that explained most things. Except for the money. And the shoes. He read the note again, realizing there was still a fold to the page. He unfolded it fully, a second part written below the neat pink script.

Hey Charlie boy!

You had a wild night, let me tell you. Sorry about your shoes, though. I hope you like the pair we got for you, now that you’re (hopefully) sober enough to appreciate them! I got the other two to pitch in and after a quick visit to the bank, gave you what we had on us at the time. I hope that helps kick start that payback thing, but my offer still stands. I’ve got like. A LOT of pirate treasure left over. Anyway, I hope you feel at least a little less stressed now!

Jacqueline :)

"A wild night, huh?" Charlie voiced. He leant against the couch, frowning.

He didn’t remember any of it.

He sat back on the couch, frown deepening. He would probably recall the night eventually, right? He hadn't been that fucked up...though another glance at the letter told him that perhaps he had been.

Well, first thing was first: he had a headache to take care of. Maybe that would help jump start his memories from last night. After all, he could recall how he ended up going out with the Legates easily enough...

---

"It really sounds like you've got a lot on your plate there, Charlie boy."

"Gee, thanks Jacqueline."

"You need to cut that sass, dude," Jacqueline replied, frowning. She had come up North with her brother today for a quick visit, running into Charlie as she and Jack headed towards Santa's home to chat with him. It was nice to see Charlie at first, but then it wasn't so nice when she got a closer look at him. He looked like he'd been hit by an iceberg.

So being the kind person that she was, Jacqueline had asked what was up and, well, a lot was up. Mostly school stress, of course; this was why she and the other two had dipped after the whole shadows thing. They had been to schools multiple times and didn't need the stress it caused people in this century. Seriously, the amount of sprite sleeps she had needed second semester was wild.

"You’re right, I'm sorry. I shouldn’t be taking it out on you. It's just…there's a lot going on."

"I know, you just told me. Girlfriend stuff, and school stuff, and Legate stuff. From one Legate to another, you should really chill out about the Legate stuff. Your Dad is the legendary figure like least at risk. He's very well protected—I would know."

"Right. The Dome. Ugh. I just want to finish this year and graduate and start living life, you know?"

"Totally. You know what you need?"

"A massage? A stress ball? A screaming pillow?"

"Do you mean like a pillow that you scream into, or a pillow that screams? I could get you a pillow that screams, though I don’t know why you would want that—"

"Jacqueline. It was the former."

"Oh. Good. You had me real concerned there, pal."

"Why on earth would I want a pillow that screams?!”

"I dunno, you’re the one who wanted it!”

“No I didn’t!”

Jacqueline frowned. “Anyway, what I was going to say was that you need to go out, have a drink or two, and just de-stress."

"I tried that already."

"But you didn’t try it Legate style," Jacqueline said, grinning in such a way that Charlie was immediately reminded of Jack and immediately concerned.

"What are you getting at?"

"Sometimes, Dite, Xander, and I go out and about and just kinda, you know, have some drinks and de-stress together."

"How is it different from what I would do with Cass and Brian and Derrick?"

"Because we're magical! We're headed out at eight tonight. We'll swing by here to pick you up. Sound good?"

Charlie had thought for a moment. It couldn’t hurt, he thought. What’s the worst that could happen while out with three super powerful magical people?

"You know what, yeah. Yeah! It does sound good. I'll see you then. What should I wear?"

"Casual dress. We usually go bar hopping in the Southern Province, so it'll be warm."

"Alright. Warm place, drinks with friends, some cool magical shenanigans…I'll be ready right at 8!"

"Cool! We'll see you then!" Jacqueline said, winking and disappearing.

---

That was how it had started, Charlie recalled clearly, as he poured himself a glass of water and helped himself to plain toast. He sat back down on the couch, wrapping the blanket around him again and eating the toast, despite his stomach's protesting. He wondered if they had any Gatorade left in the house, and headed back into the kitchen to grab some (if there was any) as well as two aspirins.

Lack of food and dehydration taken care of, he popped the aspirins and lay back down on the leather couch, the surface cool to his touch and the couch very soft (as it was a hand-me-down).

That should take care of this headache, he thought, closing his eyes as the night began to come back to him, piece by piece.

---

He knew he had felt some regret as he had realized what he had agreed to. But the truth was, studying had him stressed to the max and he had needed some unwind time—and time away from his housemates, of course. It was why he had been up at the Pole, after all.

So, telling himself that this was a good idea, and it would go alright, Charlie threw on a pair of shorts and a nice plain band shirt, and waited for his ride.

At 8 o'clock sharp when he heard the loud swish of large wings, felt a chill in the air, and remembered that really cool dream he had had the other night where he was James Bond, he realized that his ride had arrived.

"Hello, anyone home?" Xander called out.

"Yeah, just a sec!" Charlie shouted back.

"Jacqueline! Isn’t that rude?”

"It’s not like they lock the doors here at the Pole,” the sprite replied, sliding into the kitchen. "What up Charlie boy?"

"Why do you keep calling me that?" He asked, eyes focused on the note he was writing for Dad and Carol.

"I like the sound of it,” she said.

Charlie briefly looked up, skeptical.

“Okay, fine! You got me. I have not yet worked out a good nickname for you. Or at least, one that you would find nice. That’s all I’ve got at the moment," she finished with a sheepish shrug.

Charlie side-eyed Jacqueline, signing his note and leaving it on the table beside the cookies. He blinked briefly, because what he saw was something he was very not used to. Jacqueline was wearing shorts. Like, sorta short shorts. He had only ever seen her in shorts that weren't super short, mostly skirts, and more often than not her old fashioned looking princess dress. The shorts were light blue; she strode in casually, wearing a big hat and sunglasses, her white t-shirt loose and breezy.

"What?" she said, pulling her sunglasses down a bit and looking at Charlie, quizzically.

"It's just. It's weird seeing you in shorts. I'm used to the big princess dress, or, y'know, skirts."

"I do own pants, Charlie."

“My apologies, Charlie,” Xander said, entering the kitchen. “Jacqueline’s patience apparently needs work. And I thought it was just my place she barged in to all the time,” he teased.

“You guys always have the windows open, so I assumed that that meant you had a door open policy.” A pause. “Or rather, a window open policy.”

That got a laugh out of Xander. “I suppose I can’t argue with that—oof!”

“Charlie! Hello!” Xander was nearly blown over as Dite flew into the kitchen, immediately giving Charlie a very squishy, very tight hug.

“Hey Dite! Hi! I need to breath, just a friendly reminder.”

“Oh! Right! Sorry,” she said, with a very big smile. She landed, her wings giving one last flap before settling behind her.

"You’re good, Xander,” Jacqueline said, steadying the sandman.

“We definitely have a door open policy here as well,” Charlie said, catching his breath. “Dad’s off in the Workshop doing some post dinner rounds, and Carol is finishing some lesson plans up at the school. It’s just me. Well, and Buddy, but he’s been passed out for a while and Dad and Carol have magical monitors in case he wakes up. It took forever to get him to bed. He’s really chatty, so let’s hope he doesn't wake up before we leave.”

“Boom! Open door policy, therefore it’s NOT rude!” Jacqueline shouted, grinning victoriously.

“You have me there,” Xander said, hopping onto the kitchen table and sitting cross-legged. He was also dressed down, in a pair of shorts and a polo. "Ready to go, Charlie? We have a fun night planned. Once Jacqueline told us you were joining us, we did a little bit of restructuring."

"Oh geez, I didn’t mean to impose. That's sweet and all, but you really didn’t need to—"

"Nonsense!" Dite interrupted. "We bar hop usually, but knowing that you were coming I tailored it so that you could get the full experience, and not just bar hops. We're starting at our favourite little beachside bar for some singing and dancing, and then we’ll head to the Final Destination and most likely bar hop on the way there! Sometime between the two spots, shenanigans tend to ensue so we’ll see where the night takes us! Isn’t this exciting?!”

Dite was also dressed down tonight, too. Charlie didn’t see a single active weapon on her: just her charm bracelet. She wore short shorts as well, and a bright pink shirt with very poofy sleeves that sort of resembled her usual Roman wear, as Charlie called it. He had once called it a toga and Dite had given him quite the lecture on Ancient Roman and Greek fashion. He had learnt a lot that day, and had profusely apologised for low key calling Dite a prostitute. Which then had launched Dite into a whole other lecture about their worker rights and a whole slew of other issues surrounding the topic. It was a very full day of learning. A lot of learning. But way more engaging then his school lectures had been.

“That first stop is the one with the karaoke, right?” Xander asked.

“It is our favourite for a reason,” Dite replied, winking. “I probably should’ve been more specific. Whoops!”

“Dite, are you already forgetting the little things? We haven’t even started yet!” Jacqueline teased.

“Or have we?” Dite teased back with a wink.

“Oh my goddess, you absolute party animal, you pre-d?”

“Sorry to interrupt, but uh. This sounds like a really busy and full plan you guys have here. Are we going to be able to do it all?”

There was the briefest of silences, and then all three Legates burst into laughter. Jacqueline was doubled over. "Will we be able to do it all," she gasped, leaning on Dite's arm, the love goddess wiping away a tear.

"Of course we will!" Dite said, grinning.

"If you guys say so. It just sounds like a lot and you know what they say, Rome wasn't built in a day."

Dite’s face immediately grew serious. “Don’t get me started,” she said.

---

Gatorade in hand, a second one in the other hand for good measure, Charlie sat up on the couch, debating if he should trudge upstairs to his room or not. The house was silent, and weirdly clean—not that he’d complain. He assumed that everyone was out and about, seeing as how it had to be nearly three in the afternoon. It was Monday, after all, and the final week of the term. And although his Mondays were free with not a single class in sight, the others had their own stuff to do. Mondays were usually quiet. A relief, since he really did not want his housemates to see him like this. Why the heck had the Legates dropped him off here?!

His stomach flopped. I need to get horizontal, he thought, falling back onto the couch. He bundled tighter in the blanket, closing his eyes and hoping for sleep.

---

“—and that’s why Nero TOTALLY burnt down the city himself.”

“Can I source you in my essay?”

“I think it would depend on your prof and how credible they think “Source: Hedone, Goddess of Pleasure, who was there” would be,” Dite said with a giggle. “Oh! Have you eaten yet, Charlie?”

“Uh, like an hour or so ago I had a small dinner.”

“Oh! Good! That means you’re probably starving. Humans have to eat every three hours or so, correct?” Xander asked, brushing snowflakes off of him. Jacqueline had poofed them over to their very first stop for the night, resulting in a spattering of snowflakes all over the four Legates.

“Something like that, yeah.”

“Excellent!” Dite said, with an excited clap. “Because guess what lives across the street from our first stop?”

“Uh…a restaurant?”

“Food AND drinks! Let’s motor,” Dite said, stirring up quite the breeze as she hovered over to the left most building.

“What about the karaoke place?”

“Can’t get decently drunk on an empty stomach,” Jacqueline said, breezing in behind Dite, who had already run to the hostess.

“Come now Charlie, let’s go! This place will barbecue anything.”

“Anything?” Charlie asked.

“Anything!”

Sure enough, as they were seated and Charlie had his first drink, he discovered that yeah, they would barbecue anything. Even if it wasn’t edible, just for “funsies”, as their waiter said. They barbecued all sorts of foods, including ice cream, which Charlie and Jacqueline had an absolute riot over. Their bellies full and dessert on their brains, they all did a round of shots.

“To a good night!” Xander said.

The glasses clinked. They cheered. Four shot glasses slammed down onto the wooden table at the same time, a second round ordered.

That’s when the night really began.

---

Hand shaky, Charlie pulled the handle and flushed the toilet. He fell forwards onto the blanket with a soft thunk, drowned out by the rush of the toilet bowl draining and refilling.

The toast was a bad idea. He was absolutely fucked up today, he was realizing. The real question now was, had it been worth it?

He thought of the barbecued ice cream. Totally worth it, he thought.

I disagree, said his stomach, as Charlie found himself staring into the toilet bowl all over again.

---

By the time they finally made it to the beachside karaoke bar, Charlie was absolutely, without a doubt, whatever was between tipsy and drunk.

His recollections were fuzzy now, but he had decent memories of the night before, as he thought about it. It probably had to do with Crystal Springs being the home of the literal source of all magic. The other Legates seemed alright. Dite was definitely buzzed. Jacqueline was without a doubt at least tipsy. Xander seemed okay, though.

“Here we bar!” Xander said. “It’s our favourite are!”

“You mean here we are, it’s our favourite bar?” Jacqueline asked.

“That’s what I said,” Xander replied.

So Xander was also somewhere between tipsy and buzzed, Charlie had thought. He laughed.

“Why is this the favourite bar?” Charlie asked.

“I am so glad you asked!” Dite replied. “The best mixed drinks, the most pleasant atmosphere, it’s right beside the BEACH! AND! It has KARAOKE! WHO’S COMING WITH ME FIRST?” Dite asked. “JACQUELINE, THANKS FOR VOLUNTEERING!”

“I didn’t—”

But the protest was lost as Dite grabbed her hand and flew to the stage, Jacqueline dangling behind her. Charlie and Xander claimed some bar stools and ordered some drinks, watching the duo sing their hearts out, to much applause and singing along!

“Better buck up, Charlie boy! One of us is going to be next.”

“I can buck up alright,” Charlie said and, with the confidence only a drunk teen could have, stood up and yelled, “SHOW ME YOUR BELLY BUTTON, XANDER!”

“I beg your pardon?!”

“Bartender! An tequila, please!”

“I don’t like where this is going,” Xander said. “Why do you need my belly button?” The sandman looked mortified, his hands unconsciously pulling his shirt down.

“Body shots, duuuh.”

“No thank you.”

The tequila appeared on the counter. “Suit yourself,” Charlie said, grabbing the tequila and pouring it into one of the empty shot glasses. He downed it, then a second one, then a third one.

“See? I BUCKED UP!”

“I am thoroughly disgusted and yet, oddly impressed.”

“Shanks!”

“Wou’re Yelcome! Wait. That didn’t sound right.” Xander looked perplexed.

“I need a HERO! I’m looking out for a HERO TIL THE END OF THE NIGHT! An’ she’s gotta be fast and she’s gotta be strong and she’s gotta be larger than li—woOP she got me!”

Jacqueline was laughing as Dite grabbed her from behind and swopped her around. Charlie squinted.

“She’s like a sack of potatoes to you, isn’t she?”

“Mmmmm not quite! More like an oddly cold body pillow? A small weighted blanket? No no no those are definitely heavier.”

“Dite is BUFF!” Jacqueline said. “And LARGER THAN LIFE!”

“Well I CAN be but then Charlie’d go insane.”

“Whaddaya mean? Demigods don’t make people go insane, my classics prof said so.”

“FIRST of all,” Dite began, putting Jacqueline down. “If it’s still Carson, he doesn’t know a thing about a thing, okay? SECONDLY, I’m a full goddess! A very minor one but godly on BOTH sides! SURE Mom was HUMAN when I was a FETUS but she’s ALSO A GODDESS now and BECAME one BEFORE I was born so THERE.”

“Oh my god, Dite, have you ever,” Charlie paused to laugh, “Have you ever looked at some dude you’re beating up. And like. And just frosting said this isn’t even my final form and then frosting gone all super sayan and made them go insane?” He was practically choking on laughter now, though something seemed...weird.

Dite frowned. “No, I don’t think so. But I’ll keep that in mind next time I’m messing somebody up!”

“You could mess me up and I’d thank you,” Jacqueline said. She held an orange drink with a little umbrella in her hand. She stared at it intently, the liquid becoming slushier. “Heh. Nice.”

“That makes no sense,” Xander said, looking up from a pyramid of empty shot glasses he had been building. “Why would you thank her for messing you up? I’d be very upset if someone messed me up.”

“Because she’s a pretty badass.”

There was a pause while Xander failed to understand.

“I’m more even confused now!”

“Xander, have some water,” Jacqueline replied. She squirmed out of Dite’s grip and grabbed a glass, magically filling it up with ice.

“There’s no glass in this water.”

“That sounds like a good thing,” Charlie replied.

“Xander I know a perfect song for your confused butt, let’s go,” Dite said, grabbing Xander and rushing off, the young man practically airborne with how fast she was going.

“My pyramid!” He shouted behind him, as the shot glasses fell.

Charlie tried to lurch forwards to stop them from falling and breaking, but only succeeded in causing a dizzy spell and falling off of his stool and into something cold.

“Good thing those are plastic,” Jacqueline said.

“Oh, you’re the something cold!”

She snickered. “I think you need some water too, ginger baby.”

“Ginger baby?”

“Cause Santa is like. A gingerbread man and you’re like. A tiny Santa. What’s the word, it’s my literal job—”

“Legate?”

“YEAH! THAT! Thanks, Charlie. Here’s some water.”

“No, YOU.”

“I’ll have you know this smoothie has none alcohol in it!”

“Still not water,” Charlie said, downing his. Mmm. Refreshing, he thought.

“I make ‘em that way,” Jacqueline replied, wiggling her fingers.

“Oh, I said that out loud?”

“Yeah buddy. Man, you need to get your sleet together.” She leant in close dramatically. “You’re next,” she said. Charlie had nearly paled before noticing her tilt her chin towards Dite and Xander, who were loudly singing along to Short Skirt, Long Jacket.

“That’s like. The least of my tinsel that needs to be put together. I am so frostbitten stressed out Jacquie.” That also sounded weird to him. Why did that sound weird?

“Excuse me bartender, could I get another orange smoothie thing?”

“Of course! Shall I put it on Mr. Frost’s tab?”

Jacqueline snickered. “Yes, absolutely! He’ll pick it up next time he’s in.”

The bartender nodded and brought the smoothie over asap. Jacqueline slid it towards Charlie. “Now dish, Charles.”

“That’s not my name.”

“Really? Your parents just. Named you Charlie?”

“Yeah? What’s so bad about that? I like my name, thank you very much!”

Jacqueline was suddenly very interested in her drink. “You were saying? About how stressed you were? Talk to me, Charlie.”

---

And he had gone OFF, Charlie remembered. He buried his head in his pillow, his comforter cocooned around him. He curled up in his bed, pretty sure that he had nothing left to throw up. The nausea was subsiding, for the most part. As was the haze over the night. He felt his cheeks getting red with how much he had told Jacqueline!

He had gone off about the workload he had this year, and the two reports he had due the same day as a take home exam. That had led into how he couldn’t find a spot to study on campus and he never had that problem back in community college, and how when he tried to study at home his housemates SOMEHOW managed to mess it up. And that had opened up a whole other bag of worms about chores not getting done and dishes being left around and the dog versus cat fight between Cass and Derrick. Which had led into him lamenting how much he missed Danielle, and how stressed he was that he barely had time to see her and how he was trying very hard to hide the fact that his Dad was fucking Santa Claus and then drunk Charlie had decided that then and there was a good time to differentiate the different ways you could say the word “fuck” and it was mortifying.

He recalled several smoothie things going down the hatch, and Dite and Xander popping back in before popping back out—some magibeans had cornered Xander and wanted to see the dream sand do its work and Dite had somehow found a dart and was watching one couple with interest and woah there, he said to himself. These thoughts were becoming incredibly run on.

“Alright Charlie, deep inhale…and hold…and exhale. Breath. Good. It’s fine! It’s really not that embarrassing and Jacqueline would have told me if she didn’t want to hear it…right?”

He closed his eyes, and his train of thought and recollections from last night began to blur together.

---

“Dude, I know that your dad isn’t frosting Santa Claus and that he is Santa and the frost was just added for flavour. I may be censored by magic, but I know my way around the f-word pal.”

“Gosh Jacqueline, I’m just so stressed and TIRED and like. ONE MORE SEMESTER and then I’m DONE and I can take up residency up North with Dad—oh dang. I’m gonna have to pay back my student loans!” Charlie made a very odd noise in his throat, that sounded like a scream that had screamed far too soon. “That’s so many monies!”

“Like, how much monies? I have a huge collection of pirate booty in my closet, do you want me to help you at all—”

Charlie’s hand shot up, and landed on Jacqueline’s entire face. “Sssshhhhh, It’s FINE! It’s my responsibility I gotta take it! And do it myself!”

“Alright, alright, chill out,” Jacqueline said, picking up his wrist and dropping his hand. “Look Charlie, you’re almost done! You’re so close! And your last semester is next right? Or do they do quarters…”

“’s semesters and ye, you’re right, but like. It's just a lot, you know? Do you know?”

“Charlie I may be old as sleet but I know, dude. I’ve been around, experienced stuff, whatever. Anyway, you got a lot going on. It frostbitten sucks pal. Next one’s on me, alright?”

“Oh kay, cool cool cool cool cool.”

“I GOT THEM!” Dite said, flying over to the pair and stirring up quite the breeze. “Look at them CUDDLE!” she nearly squealed with excitement. Sure enough, the couple from earlier was getting really cozy in the booth.

“Nice one, Dites.”

“Thank you, Charlie! It’s ma job,” she said, with a wink.

“A fruity one for the lady? Make it pink?” Jacqueline asked the bartender.

“Sure thing,” he said, zipping away. A pink smoothie arrived around the same time Xander did, dusting dream sand off of his pants.

“It really sticks to non-dream sand clothes,” he murmured. “Miss did I what?”

“I’ll catch you both up,” Jacqueline said gently.

Charlie was chewing his straw. He wasn’t paying attention to what Jacqueline was saying. He was too busy thinking about everything he had just told Jacqueline, and also wondering where Dite had gotten the dart from, and there was something…else brimming just below the surface that he didn’t quite understand. He ordered an old fashioned and was nearly halfway through it when a tap on his shoulder broke him out of his silent thoughts.

“Hey Charlie,” Dite said softly, smiling sweetly. “It’s your turn.”

“For what?”

“Karaoke of course! And since this is your first time out with us, I’ll let you pick the song,” she said, winking and leaning in close.

Charlie started laughing the moment the thought came into his head. “Do you know…fff…d’you know. What would be….fffhAhaHA…so god dang funny??” he broke down into a giggle fit.

“What would?”

He whispered it into Dite’s ear, laughing now. She grinned, wings fluttering. “Let’s go let’s do it RIGHT NOW—Jacqueline, you’re gonna LOVE this!”

And Charlie had been rushed away by the goddess, Xander and Jacquie sharing a look. Charlie had made sure to look directly at the pair as the song he had so carefully chosen rang out around the bar. A collective groan resounded. Jacqueline snorted, blue smoothie coming out of her nose. Xander brightened—quite literally.

“I song this love!” he shouted. “Good choice, Charlie!”

“WE’RE NO STRANGERS TO LOOOOOVE,” Charlie belted out. “YOU KNOW THE RULES AND SOO DO I!”

They had only just made it to the course when the bouncer came over. “NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP, NEVER GONNA LET YOU DOWWWWN,” Charlie remembered singing as the large orc stopped at the base of the stage. He was confused, and kept singing, glancing over to the other two Legates. Jacqueline was doubled over, coughing and laughing; Xander was hitting her back.

“Can we at least finish the song?” Dite asked the orc.

“…alright, fine.”

“NEVER GONNA TELL A LIE, AND HURTT YOU!”

The song ended and the Orc waited for them by the stairs. He put a firm hand on each shoulder. “Our policy states that when the rick rolling starts, you’ve had too much. Great rendition though, one of the best I’ve heard. We’ll be seeing you Legates, yeah?” he said as they passed through the door.

“Of course!” Dite said. “See you next time, Fred!”

Fred the Orc nodded, popping back in and coming out with Xander and Jacqueline, who was still laughing.

“You frostbitten RICK ROLLED them! I’m dying that was hilarious!”

“I never understood that policy,” Xander said as he was placed down. “It’s a good song.”

“Xander do you know what a meme is?” Charlie asked.

“Pardon me?”

---

Charlie chuckled, curled up in his bed. That had been. Hilarious and he definitely didn’t regret that. Though it was a good policy for cutting people off, he thought. He couldn’t quite recall how he had explained the concept of a meme to Xander, but sometime between the start of his explanation and the end, they had made it to their final stop of the night.

---

At first, he wasn’t sure if it was his sight or just the way the place looked. But as they approached, Charlie realized it was, in fact, the way this club looked.

It was like nothing he had ever seen before. The building was surrounded by sand—as most things in the Southern Province were, Charlie was learning—and completely open concept. There wasn’t even a DOOR, it was just an archway with two burly nearly human looking people blocking it. He squinted. They kind of had wolfish features…oh! OH!

“Dude,” Charlie whispered to whoever was beside him. “Are those werewolf guards? Werewolves are REAL?!”

“Well yes, of course they’re real! They’re as real as you or me, Charlie. And nearly look just as human as us!”

Charlie did a triple take to see who was at his side. “Whaddabout your wings? That’s not very human looking.”

“Or is it?” Dite teased.

Charlie squinted, nearly crashing into one of the guards. “Oh. Sorry.”

“Don’t worry ‘bout it kid. ID please?”

“Oh…uh…” Charlie pated his pockets before pulling out his wallet. “Here. I’m not from here but I swear my ID is real and not a fake.”

“Don’t worry about it, we see magibeans from all over, kid. Looks good, here you go. And here’s your glow bracelet—that’ll let you move in and out of the place freely. Enjoy!”

“And don’t forget the complimentary sunglasses if you folks are prone to eyestrain or seizures,” the other guard said, holding out four pairs of sunglasses.

Jacqueline and Dite pulled out their own. Xander grabbed a pair, thanking the guard, and passed one over to Charlie.

They walked in and Charlie had to lift his jaw from the floor. The music was loud, and there were magibeans everywhere from all over, just like the guard had said! There were the usual fairies and pixies, and an elf or two here and there, and a whole host of other beings! Two dragons were flying around above everyone, glow bracelets all over their wings and scales and legs, intertwining with each other to the beat of the music. The building didn’t have a roof, but it had several levels of dance floor, covered with magibeans. The structures were dark but the floors were flashing all sorts of colours. Lights on the walls moved about, in all sorts of colours, going in and out of each other and shining throughout the different parts of the club.

Charlie threw on his shades, glad Xander had grabbed them for him. “Guys I am losing my MIND-O!”

“I just gave you happening, that should NOT be sunglasses!”

“No like not literally! I’m just. This really is tons of fun and so different and colourful and the breeze through the building? That’s excellent! This is excellent! Thank you so, soo much guys I am APPRECIATE!”

“You’re welcome Charlie! We’re so happy to have you with us tonight!” Dite said, her wings fluttering happily. She squished her hands together, the biggest grin on her face.

“What did I tell ya, Charlie boy-o? Legate style,” Jacqueline said with a silly little shoulder shimmy.

“This place needs some DREAM SAND,” Xander shouted, and suddenly the place was covered in golden sand, revealing the structure to be not as dark as Charlie had initially thought, and a little bit on the rocky side of things. The dream sand wove through the crowds, taking on different shapes and forms as each dancer touched it. It glinted in the lights, leaving the place hazy. Cheers erupted all around. “What are we waiting for, Legates? Shall we?”

Time blurred together as Charlie danced his butt off. Drink stations were all over the place, people moving freely in and out to enjoy the sand and the water just outside. The breeze running through the place took the edge off of the heat, and offered a nice respite when Charlie had tuckered himself out from dancing. He wandered to one of the open archways, enjoying the view. The moon was up in the sky, shining brightly down on the ocean. The water glinted, reflecting all of the stars in the sky, the icebergs in the distance tall shadows floating across the backdrop.

“Now that is a view I could get used to.”

“The icebergs really make it,” Jacqueline added, joining Charlie. She leaned on the other side of the archway, sipping a tall cold glass of something clear (Charlie was unsure if it was water or more alcohol).

“Dude, how are we not like DEAD right now? We have had. Many alcohols. I mean you guys are all magic so like, you don’t die of alcohol? But how am I not dead. Of alcohol.”

“Well, for starters don’t be so down on yourself. You’re a magihuman, after all. A human who’s magical, that is. So that definitely plays a part. They've also been giving you water all night. They're really good about that here, since it tends to be the final destination for most of the party goers—hence the name! The Final Destination! Plus, the mist from the springs gets EVERYWHERE and since the source of magic is here, that is, in the springs, and the water is all over the place, I think it helps curb the copious amounts we drink? I’ll definitely sleep more than four hours tonight let me tell you, and I’m sure this is going to knock out Xander.”

“Like the time with the coffee!”

“Yeah! That was funny, right into the tray—”

“The mashed potatoes went ALL OVER JACOB!”

“It’s what he deserved,” Jacqueline added, as Charlie laughed. “Anyway! Xander may be the Sandman who never sleeps, but he can sleep and will after this. He’ll make his old man proud with the amount of snoring he’ll be doing tomorrow, that’s for sure.”

“Heh. Nice.” Charlie drank more drink. Water good he thought.

“Want me to top you off?” Jacqueline said, wiggling her fingers. Ice cubes appeared in the cup.

“Thanks,” Charlie said, scanning the beach as he slurped from the straw. The ice melted FAST here. He scanned past the people standing in the waves gently lapping the shore, the handful of younger fae who may or may not have been skinny dipping, some outside dancers, a group of witches playing volleyball, a huge group of people surrounding a path of coals—wait, what?

"Is that a—are they walking on FIRE?!" Charlie said, straw from his drink still in his mouth.

"Yeap," Jacqueline replied. "It's a big thing in the South. It's used for tons of stuff. Healing, team building, confidence building, rite of passage—I think they're doing it for entertainment right now," she finished, squinting. "Or team building—Charlie? Where are you going?"

He had already crossed the room and was at the archway entrance. "I'm gonna WALK ON THOSE COALS!"

"Wait a minute Charlie, wait a minute!"

He heard a scrape and felt a rush of cold air as Jacqueline caught up to him. "Are you sure about that? They're hot as heck."

"I'm POSITIVE."

"You're also not heat resistant?"

"Excuse me, sir! I'd like to do that walking thing," Charlie said, gesturing to the path of coals.

"Of course," the faun said, gesturing to the coals. "Have you done this before?"

"Nope," Charlie said, approaching the walkway.

"Let me give you some guidance then first—uh…excuse me? Hey, sir! Sir you forgot—"

Charlie had already begun walking onto the coals. "Look! I'm doing it! This is SICK!"

"Miss Frost, are his—?"

"Yes. They absolutely are. I'm so sorry, he's a bit uh…he's a magi-human."

"Ah," the faun replied, as if that explained it.

Jacqueline cupped her hands to her mouth and yelled. "CHARLIE! CHARLIE, YOUR SHOES!"

"WHAT ABOUT THEM?" he yelled back, stopping his walk and turning in place.

"THEY'RE STILL ON AND YOU’RE STANDING IN A FLAME!"

"Huh—oh! Oh, silver bells! Silver bells fruitcake silver bells!" He had booked it off to the side right then and there, the sand around them putting out the flames of his running shoes. A good thing, too—they were a bit on fire and he wasn't heat resistant, like Jacqueline had said. "YEET," he yelled, tossing the shoes far away once they were off of his feet. They hit the ground with a soft thunk.

"Oh, that's a nice breeze," Charlie said, as Jacqueline appeared beside him.

"Thanks, I'm my own walking AC unit." she winced. "I think you did a number on your shoes," she said, heading towards them.

"Nah! It's fine! The sand took care of it!"

"Guess again, buddy."

"NO, I'm Charlie, Buddy is my brother, you know tha—oh, silver bells! My shoes!"

Jacqueline had held them in her hands. They were pretty melted, and charred in a couple places. The shoelaces had burnt off.

"That fire walk was definitely lit by Aunt Summer if it did that to your shoes."

"Wait a second. What did I just say? Silver bells? What? No, that's not what I wanted to say. What the fruitcake? WAIT! I meant fruitcake, not fruitcake—wait." That’s what had sounded weird all night! But why was it happening? His brow furrowed as he tried to piece it all together.

"It's the source. We're not sure if it's the source of magic that doesn't like swearing, or the goddess herself, but either way magic censors us big time here. So instead of saying frostbite or sleet, you say frostbite, or sleet. Or, if you’re a Christmas magic person, silver bells and fruitcake, I suppose," Jacqueline shrugged, grinning cheekily.

"Huh."

"Oh! Oh, do you know what that means?" Jacqueline asked, excited now.

"I can't say the fruitcake word?"

"It means you are OFFICIALLY a MAGICAL PERSON!" Jacqueline said, giving him a very tight hug and managing to lift him a few inches off the ground. "HECK YEAH! YOU GET CENSORED NOW TOO!"

"Oh! Hugs!” Dite yelled, low flying towards them and hugging their hug. “What did I miss?" Dite asked, squishing the daylights out of them.

"Charlie can’t swear, so now he's definitely magic," Jacqueline said. Dite had dropped them and Charlie had, unfortunately, landed on his butt not very gracefully.

"My shoes died," he pouted.

"That's rough, buddy," Xander said, arriving on the scene now with his own drink. It was in a coconut.

"I'm Charlie, not Buddy."

"Need a hand there?" Xander offered.

"Thanks bro," Charlie replied, grabbing it and pulling himself up. With a lot more help from Xander than anticipated, he realized now.

“A full-on Legate! How exciting!” Dite said, clapping and hovering once more.

“I’m not as Legaty as you guys though,” Charlie said, laying down in the sand.

“I just helped you up why would you go back into the sand? It's not even dream sand just boring. Beach sand—”

“Xander, sweetie, he’s choosing to lay in the sand,” Dite said.

“Talk to us Charlie,” Jacqueline said, plopping down in the sand beside him, putting her arms under her head.

“It’s just. Like. You do the swooshy ice things, right? And Dite,” he said, as she lay down gently, her wings whooshing sand everywhere, “She even works when she doesn’t have to!”

“I just. Love love. So much.”

“If we’re going to lay down in the sand then at least let me make it comfortable,” Xander said, laying down in the sand with a thunk, palms down and fingers spread. His hands glowed, and the sand under them lit up and did, in fact, get surprisingly more comfortable.

“And then Xander does that! Just casually! You guys are all so much more legatey than me, you even LOOK legatey—”

“You look like your Dad too, y’know,” said Dite. “Just because you don’t have a big white beard doesn’t make you any less of a Legate.”

“You’re even censored now!” Jacqueline said.

“Zzzzzzz,” said Xander.

“Oh my god, he’s asleep,” Charlie said, distracted.

“So it begins,” Jacqueline said, Dite giggling.

“Should we like, wake him?”

“Nah,” Jacqueline replied. “Let’s just kick back and enjoy the stars.”

“Look! The milky way!”

“Maybe I’ll grow a beard,” Charlie said, snuggling into the sand.

“It might suit you. But you don’t need to look the part to be a Legate Charlie. I won’t be a small old grouch when I’m Cupid. And Jacqueline's gonna be a great Jack Frost! Which is more we can say about our current Jack Frost’s status, all things considered—no offense Jacquie!”

She snorted. “Please, I’m the first one in line when it comes to talking about how Jack half assed the job for a solid five hundred years.”

“We can say ass?”

“On occasion, yes!”

“And Charlie, you know, you’ve already done a lot as Santa’s Legate!”

“Yeah! Jacquie’s right! You helped us save the Legends from Erebus and Willow!”

“We never would’ve snuck in if we hadn’t done it Charlie style! And The elves won’t shut up about the things you helped them innovate when you were like, seven, dude! That’s impressive! That’s pre-Legate years, too! Before I was a Legate I mostly wreaked havoc and froze my Dad to the floor a lot.”

“He didn’t immediately melt the cold stuff?”

“I think he was humouring me.”

It was silent. Xander's snores permeated the air, the gentle lapping of the shore and far off beats from Final Destination the only things heard in the silence.

“A beard would suit you! But not the Santa beard just yet,” Dite began. “If you want to fast grow a beard, I know a guy. He has questionable methods and isn’t the greatest in matching materials to the person. Like. C'mon buddy, your son is GAY and he wants to GET WITH APOLLO, DON’T USE WAX FOR THE WINGS! DON’T!”

“Dite you never cease to amaze me,” Jacqueline said.

“Maybe I need some more red,” Charlie began.

“OH! I’VE GOT IT!” Dite said, shooting up.

“I’m awake! I was never sleeping! Sleep is a lie!” Xander said, shooting up.

“LET’S DYE YOUR HAIR RED!” Dite finished.

“YES!” Charlie said, shooting up as well.

“Oh my goddess I cannot WAIT to see how this backfires,” Jacqueline said, getting up and dusting sand off of her legs.

“It wouldn’t shoe to get Charlie new hurt, either,” Xander said, the sand coming off of him with a wave of his hand.

“Right! Getting Charlie new shoes! A very good idea!” Dite said.

“Is that not what I said?”

“You’re still doing the word switcheroo there, bud.”

“Ah. Apologies Charlie, didn’t mean to imply that we should give you more hurt!”

“I have enough as it is,” Charlie half-joked.

“You all need more water,” Jacqueline said. Before anyone could reply, she was running full speed into the water. “CANON BALL!”

“IT’S CHEATING IF YOU FLY UP FIRST!” Charlie shouted, grinning and running in behind her.

Dite laughed and flew straight up, dive bombing in and splashing the other two. Xander waded into the shallows and waited for the three of them to stop splashing around.

“When the three of you are done, shall we head to WUTSNESS?”

“What’s What’s-Ness?”

“WUTSNESS!” Dite corrected.

“It’s how you say the first letters of WTSNS. Which is short for Where The Sun Never Sets which is basically a cross between a non-magibean Wal-Mart and a Costco.”

“Like Wal-Mart, WTSNS has everything,” Xander explained. “The difference being that like Costco, the managers at WUTSNESS treat the magibeans working there like magibeans and pay them a liveable wage, make sure they aren’t overworked, and they have insurance and a very good union!”

“In that case,” Charlie said, shaking off like a dog once he was back on the shore. “TO WHAT’S NESS!”

“WUTSNESS,” everyone corrected.

“The letter U is bull-tinsel and I dunno why Crystal Springs and Canada BOTH use it so much. Fruitcake that letter in particular!”

---

That was the last clear memory Charlie had.

He woke up, groggy, everything else coming back in hazy patches.

WUTSNESS was bright, and big, and clean and tidy and staffed entirely by vampires for the night shift. Dite had tried really hard to talk him out of bright red hair dye. Jacqueline had disappeared while they contemplated hair dye and reappeared with several pairs of shoes, and Charlie had picked the nice dark blue ones that now sat at the front door.

Xander had bought a ton of snacks, and once Charlie picked hair dye and they had left the store, things got real gross real fast.

“That’s a lot of vomit,” he remembered Jacqueline saying.

“Let’s get him home,” Xander had said.

Charlie was 90% sure that Dite had carried him home all by herself, which did not surprise him. She was built, despite her soft appearance. Charlie had once watched her bench press Jacqueline, and had seen her use Xander and Jacqueline as dumbbells. She was impressive as fuck.

He grinned a bit. It was nice to swear again.

But what the heck had happened after that?

There was a knock on his door.

“Yeah?”

“It’s Cass. Mind if I come in?”

Charlie grunted. His door opened, and Cass came in.

“Is that a DOG?”

“Her name is chocolate,” Cass said. “She’s very friendly.”

Chocolate was a huge lab, and she immediately jumped onto Charlie’s bed. He had always been a dog person, and immediately pet the crap out of Chocolate, who enjoyed it immensely. The dog snuggled up against Charlie, happily lying down.

“Did I miss something?”

“I was getting up when the Legates appeared at the front door,” Cass said. “Hedone recognized me, thankfully, and the other two dropped their guard.”

“I got home that late?”

“It was just after six,” Cass said. “AM. I felt like something nutty was about to happen so I headed downstairs and poof! Three old friends and a completely drunk Charlie.”

“That’s embarrassing.”

“It wasn’t too bad,” Cass said, sitting down on Charlie’s desk chair. “I asked why you were home, cause I had seen you staying at your Dad’s all week. According to Jacqueline, you insisted.”

“I dunno if I wanna hear the rest of this,” Charlie said, nuzzling the dog.

“I’ll stop then. I have to get Chocolate back to the shelter in a bit anyway, but I figured since Derrick wasn’t home, you’d appreciate doggo cuddles.”

“Oh my god, do I ever.” A pause. “I bet that she could win Derrick over.”

Cass laughed. “And he’ll find a cat that can win me over. Then we can have the best of both worlds, huh?”

There was something about that phrase, Charlie thought, before making a decision. “Actually, I think I do want to hear the rest.”

“If you insist!”

---

Cass had stopped at the stairs like a deer in headlights when a whirl of blue sparks and snowflakes had appeared just past the front door and turned into four whole people. She could tell from their auras who they were immediately: Charlie’s magical friends (you can’t hide that sort of thing from someone with sight). Jacqueline and Xander immediately called up projectiles when they saw her. Hedone—Dite, Cass corrected, (best use a goddess’s preferred name so as not to incur their wrath, her grandmother had said) immediately recognized her, and brightened.

“Hello Cass! You two can drop the balls,” she added.

“Pfft hahaha balls. That’s. That’s—” Charlie retched, putting his hand in front of his mouth.

“Here comes round four!” Jacquie shouted.

“Let’s get this recovery into man position!” Xander shouted. “To his bed!”

“NO! No just. Couch, please.” Charlie said, having stifled the vomit.

“Could you grab a bucket for us please, Cass?”

“Uh-yeah, sure.”

“Anyway, phrasing, Dite,” Charlie said, just before retching again. Cass had only just made it in time with the bucket, and thankfully, Charlie hadn’t missed. “You too Xander, watch your. Your phrasing. Man position in bed...heh. Gross!”

“Couldn't agree more,” said Xander.

Cass watched as a surprisingly yawny Xander carefully placed Charlie into recovery position.

“There we go. That should do it.”

“That was all SPIT! There is nothing left inside of my me, holy fuck, I wanna sleep!”

“I can help with that. Just stay put in that position...excellent! POOF!”

Golden sand billowed out from Xander’s palm, surrounding Charlie's head. He was out in moments, breathing deeply and thankfully, sleeping still.

“That should also keep him from moving out of the recovery position,” Xander said, slowly and carefully as if he had to think really hard about every word.

“Apparently I missed something?” Cass finally said.

“We took Charlie out for a night on the magic town,” Dite said. “We had fun! Charlie got a little—”

“A lot—”

“Drunk—”

“Absolutely frostbitten wasted—”

“BUT! He had fun! And I think he’s a lot less stressed right now.”

“His stress levels are down by about 70% I’d say, judging by how fast he fell asleep.” Xander yawned. “That couch looks mighty comfortable.”

“I think we need to get you home now too. Oh! Almost forgot! We have some stuff for Charlie. We’re just gonna leave it by the couch for him, so he sees it when he’s up,” Dite said, putting a neatly wrapped note and a box of hair dye—hair dye?! At the corner by Charlie’s feet.

“The conversion rate on a good quality piece of eight is CRAZY! I should deposit,” Jacqueline mussed, throwing a blanket on top of Charlie. “And we should still totally dye his hair.”

“Jacqueline he couldn’t possibly make a clear, cohesive, decision about it right now. He just laughed at me saying ‘drop the balls’. I think that speaks for itself, don’t you?”

“It’s a little funny,” Jacqueline said with a grin.

“I’ll make sure the guys don’t mess with it,” Cass said, having finally processed what she was seeing.

“Don’t mess with what?”

They turned to the stairs and froze, as Brian and Derrick were both making their way downstairs. Cass felt celestial magic settle around them. Dite must’ve cast a glamour on them.

Sure enough when Cass turned around, she was met with the very human trio that they had all initially met in first year: Amy, Alex, and Jackie. No frozen hair, no pointed ears, no wings and no glowing sandmen. Just three definitely human people, yup.

“Jackie! Amy! Alex! Hey dudes, what’s up!”

“We’re just heading out actually, Alex is crashing.”

“Big time but please don’t tell anybody I said that, I have a no-sleep reputation to keep up.”

“We all have nights like that dude,” Derrick said.

“Actually,” Jackie said, a current of ice in her voice. “I have a bone to pick with the lot of you. If you all have a moment?”

---

“She didn’t.”

“She DID! She went HAM on all of us for not doing the chores or pulling our weight and told Derrick and I that we should compromise on the cat and dog thing and you should have seen Brian and Derrick, they were absolutely gobsmacked. Brian actually did ALL the dishes!”

“All of them?!”

“Yeah! All of them!” Cass paused. “Jacqueline made a lot of good points. Sorry for not pulling my weight around here, and being so stubborn about the dog and cat thing. I cleaned the shower finally, and I’ll try to be quieter when you’re studying.”

“Oh. Well, thanks Cass. That means a lot! Apology accepted,” Charlie said, scratching the ears of the dog. “Hey Chocolate, can you go give Cass hugs from me? Go on! Hug her!”

Chocolate bounded off of the bed and ran to Cass, jumping up on her legs and licking her face.

“Alright alright cut it out! Those gross slobbery kisses make me really think Derrick has a point about cats.”

“Maybe you should tell him that?” Charlie said, sitting up in a blanket bundle now.

“Maybe. Anyway, I gotta go bring her back to the shelter.”

"She can live in my room! I’ll walk her and everything!”

Cass laughed. “We’ll have a house meeting first and discuss how everyone feels, and THEN maybe we can keep her.”

“Ou, so mature,” Charlie said.

Cass laughed. “Feel better, nerd.”

“Thanks, dork.”

Charlie pulled his blanket tighter around him. He sniffed. He smiled. His phone vibrated. It was somehow still in his pocket. He did a little shimmy and was able to grasp the case, pulling it out of his pocket. He loosened his hold on the blanket as he read the text

Hey love, I got a text from your friend Amy! She said that you weren’t feeling too great and taking a day off. I’m heading over now with snacks and your favourite Christmas films. Not Even God Could Stop Me rn so don’t you even try ;) Love you! See you soon!

Charlie grinned at the plethora of hearts and kissy faces and the one poop emoji that had snuck its way in.

I wouldn’t let him stop you. See ya soon! Love you too!

Jacqueline was right. He just needed to destress! He really had needed that night out and evidently, his friends had made sure of it. Xander had given him a good night’s rest, Jacqueline had whipped his housemates into shape, and Dite had made sure he got that sweet, sweet SO time in even after the three of them had also gotten magibean drunk last night and made sure to take very good care of him.

It was quite the balancing act, but Charlie was beginning to think he really would be able to have the best of both worlds.

#shush Dani #text #smile shots #the santa clause #tsc #crystal springs #tsc: cs #dani writes #author's notes are in a separate post!!#nd it is also up on ff.net #my penname there is safyresky #i am literally safyresky everywhere except insta #bc some RANDO TOOK SAFYRESKY AS THEIR USERNAME! WTF!#ANYWAY ENOJY!#and plz @ me if u see a typo #I got tired of staring at it while editing

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harryhubba · 5 years

Text

Honey, part 1

Something about recently signed and big dreamed-singer Y/N and kind hearted Shawn who only wants to help her

Y/N has a little bit of a problem.

Or, maybe a few of them. She really didn’t expect to attend the party she was at tonight. It was rather lavish and definitely getting rowdier as the night continued. The venue was partially outside, decorated with plants, trendy art and orange tinted lights; dark enough to hide those with bloodshot eyes from too much too drink but light enough to give everyone that ‘celebrity’ glow. Not to mention the decorations and people looked just expensive enough for her to feel out of place. She also didn’t expect to be standing in bar area with a broken phone staring sadly at her by her feet. Who’s phone? That, she thought, was a good question - and one she didn’t exactly want to know the answer to (for fear she would burst into tears at the chance of it being one of the many famous people here).

So now she was standing cluelessly by a mess that was obviously her doing, wondering how she can either fix this mystery phone without having the owner notice, or find a way to tell them without causing a scene and getting shouted at.

See, Y/N was rightfully invited, of course. It was just that this party was thrown by someone connected to Andrew Gertler, Y/N’s new manager, and Y/N hadn’t seen him, or anyone else she knew for that matter, since an hour ago when she arrived.

That’s how she found herself by the bar. It was much easier to socialise after a few drinks, and much easier to claim her stumbly feet on alcohol instead of just being stupid. She wouldn’t say she was extremely shy, but definitely a little shy, and interacting with famous people felt akin to trying to talk to the ‘popular girls’ in high school. In other words, not something she really did.

So whether it was the drinks, or indeed just her being clumsy, when she leaned her elbow against the bar (finally finding somewhere to relax as everyone had migrated to the outdoor deck) the phone had fallen.

Hearing the sound of footsteps approaching, she quickly bends her knees and squats down, grimacing when she wears the crack of her bones from the fast movement. Using rather speedy movements, she attempts to collect the shards of glass that had broken off the screen before anyone noticed, piling them into the palm of one hand.

Why should I be so stressed when the owner can almost definitely afford another phone without even blinking an eye, is what Y/N wanted to say. She doesn’t, however. Instead, her head snaps up at the feeling of a body kneeling down next to her.

“Woah woah woah, stop.” A honey-like voice rushes out. “What are you doing?” A warm hand darts out over Y/N’s to stop her movement. Looking up, she almost forgets to breathe at the face of Shawn Mendes right by hers. He’s cute. Undeniably cute, and beautiful. And that is if she’s keeping it modest. It’s his hair, she decides. Brown and floppy and in messy ringlets that don’t seem to want to stay together, but look just perfect for running her fingers through. And skin that looks golden from a tan; she didn’t even think he could get a tan from what she had seen online.

What a way to meet her favourite pop star, though, the one she’s daydreamed about for probably all of her teenage years. It had to be when she had a burning face from embarrassment, a strangers broken phone, and glass piled in her hands, didn’t it? Y/N thinks it is just the tip of the iceberg that her one chance to make an impression had to be now, of all times, and all she wants to do is go back home to her cat Marlow and burrow into her couch until all is forgotten. At least there she could rely on Jake Peralta to distract her.

“Hey… You alright?” At the sudden realisation that she must be staring, Y/N regains her senses and pulls her hand out from under his quickly (disappointingly). She continues to pick up the smaller pieces from around the phone, wary of anyone who might step on it.

“Yeah! M’good, all good!” Her eyebrows furrow when she hears the high and wavering pitch of her voice but it’s the slip of one her feet the causes her hand drop and stabilise herself on the ground.

A profanity falls out of mouth at a sharp pain that shoots in her hand, and she’s almost too distracted to notice Shawn grabbing her shoulder to stop her from falling. If she could have stopped to take a second she would have been able to focus on how warm and comforting his large hands feel on her shoulder. The pain radiating from her hand didn’t exactly allow this. Turning her hand over, red was smudged over the centre and she can make out the glimmer of glass somewhere amongst the mess. She can’t say she’s surprised to see blood but either way, she definitely does not want to keep looking at it.

“Okay, fuck, okay” Shawn hurries, wrapping his free hand around her other shoulder. “Up y’get, honey, come on.” Y/N follows his movements blindly, standing up from his support while holding her hand out in front of her. Her heart flutters at the pet name he used. Honey. She imagines that’s what he would call her if they were a couple. But she shakes it off quickly, he calls all his fans that. Shawn takes a second to glance over her hand, visibly wincing, before raking a hand through his hair.

His eyes flicker between her own and her hand, “Alright, well, let me take you to the bathroom and we can see how bad it is, okay?”

Y/N nods, before opening her mouth with the presence of his eyes on hers “Yeah, okay. Okay.” It’s then that Shawn places a hand on the middle of her back and guides her in the direction of what she guesses is the bathroom. Her eyes widen at the heat of his rings and skin against hers, her outfit choice void of fabric in that area due to her choice of a top.

“What the fuck, man!” She hears the familiar voice of Andrew before she sees him, the friendly man coming into view in a button up shirt, appearing slightly tousled and definitely intoxicated. “What have you done to her?” He laughs in Shawn’s direction, a hand coming to rest on his shoulder. Shawn merely chuckles in his direction.

“Very funny, bro. M’just helping out.”

Andrew turns his head towards Y/N, reaching his other arm to rest on her shoulder. Her feet stumble over one another at the sudden weight, pushing her shoulder against Shawn’s. Being between two strong men, one clearly drunk, makes her feel a little like a doll compared to them; she hates it, in all honesty.

Shawn barely stumbles at the intrusion, not surprisingly considering his height, but nudges Y/N forward with his hand on her back and mumbles.

“Are you okay, Y/N!?” He all but shouts as he leans closer to her. Y/N raises her eyebrows at how funny he is when he’s drunk and Andrew stares at her with wide concerned eyes.

“I’m fine! It’s okay.” She tells him with a smile, patting him on the shoulder with her non injured hand. At the sound of someone calling Andrew’s name, Shawn taps his fingers against Y/N’s back, bending down so she could hear him.

“C’mon,”

It’s when she’s seated on the bathroom sink that Y/N finally get a second to breathe. It’s much quieter in here. Nicely decorated too, with rounded counter edges that save Y/N from getting uncomfortable and ending up with red lines on the backs of her thighs.

Leaning her head back against the wall behind her with a thump, she closes her eyes. Shawn was looking through the bathroom sink cupboard to her right and she lets out a breath through her nose. She hopes he didn’t hear that. Really, this was how she planned to remain as indifferent to Shawn as she could. Being distant and not too friendly. It’s not that she didn’t like him - it was made clear before that that couldn’t be further from the truth. It was just that Y/N was lonely. Her heart thumped at even the daydreams she made up in her head, let alone really being close to a man.

She had done everything, of course. Well, the big one, at least. But kissing, like a real kiss, was something she was still waiting for.

What Y/N really didn’t want was to get attached. Get her hopes up. It gets hard when you’ve lived for 18 years and haven’t been in a relationship, let alone had someone be excited to see you and not your friends. Gone out to a party and been the centre of attention instead of the one alone at the bar while her friends found someone for the night. Granted, this type of thing had only happened since she turned 18 (she definitely wasn’t sneaking into bars…)

She’s brought out of her thoughts when Shawn stands up again. She thinks so at least, her eyes are still closed.

“Hey… are you feeling okay?” She peeks her eyes open at this. He’s standing up next to her, still a little taller even though she’s sitting on the counter, and his eyes are filled with concern, she thinks.

Really, she felt a little dizzy from drinking. Serves her right, she supposed.

“Mmm,” she hums, moving her head off the wall to look at him a little clearer. He’s running a washcloth under water in the basin besides her.

When he moves back up he gestures to her hand with his own. “Do you mind if I…?” With a nod of her head, Shawn takes her hand in his own.

His hand seemed to completely cover my own as he held it up for him to see. His skin on hers was gentle, even with calloused fingers from playing guitar, and when she started to notice how much bigger his hand was then hers she had to close her eyes again.

He was moving her arm around, looking at it from a few different angles before setting it back at the height of his stomach.

“Looks like the glass is just sitting on top so I’m gonna try move it, okay? Tell me if it hurts and I’ll stop.”

“Shit, really?” What if it’s actually in the skin?

“You can do it if you like. I’m sure it’s just resting on top and not actually in your hand. If it is we can take you to the hospital.” His eyes flicker between her own.

“No, no. You do it, I don’t think I could bear it.” She breathes with a laugh.

With a nod, he pulls up her hand again to go back to work, taking notice of how her nose is scrunched and her eyebrows are creased in preparation for glass being supposedly pulled out of her hand.

A second passes. And another. And another. And soon enough it’s been probably 20 seconds and she hasn’t felt any immense pain or pulling skin. Peeking one eye open, her face falls when she sees Shawn standing with the glass off her hand and a grin spreading wide over his face.

“Ok, well maybe you were right.”

He hums, with what she would call a shit eating grin on his face.

“Just need to clean it and bandage it up and you should be good.” A strand of his hair flops on his forehead when he puts guides her hand under the tap and Y/N wants to run her fingers through it and see if his eyes flutter.

A sharp pain makes Y/N wince, her opposite hand moving up to grip Shawn’s forearm in pain. It’s when his eyes move up to hers that she realises, and she releases her fingers, mumbling a “Sorry.”

“It’s alright.” He gives her a little smile. “Does it hurt?”

“No, no. It’s okay, keep going.”

He speaks again when he focuses his attention back on her arm, turning the tap off and dabbing it dry.

“Hey, sorry about your phone.”

“My phone?” Y/N’s eyebrows scrunch.

“Yeah… the one you dropped?”

THE phone.

“Oh. OH. Fuck, I forgot!” In her little fantasy world with Shawn Mendes, Y/N had forgotten the real problem. Mystery celebrities phone.

“What is it?” Shawn questions, surprised at her sudden urgent tone.

“Ok, don’t, like, expose me or anything but that wasn’t my phone.”

“Wait, really? So you, like, broke another persons phone?” He chuckles, fingers pressing the plaster onto her skin.

“Stop! Don’t say it like that, I honestly didn’t mean to and I’m kind of freaking out because I don’t know whose it is and I can’t even check the screen because the whole thing is smashed and-“

“Hey, love, it’s all good okay? You’re fine, I’ll help you find whose it is.”

“But… yeah, okay, thanks. That’s really helpful.” When Y/N let’s out a short sigh, Shawn releases a breath of laughter of his own.

“You don’t sound too convinced, honey.”

“I mean, it’s just that, I don’t know. If I do find them and they get mad I can’t really afford to buy them a new phone or anything.”

There’s a pause.

“NOT THAT, not that I’m like implying I want you to help me pay for it, not at all,” She rushes. “I just mean I’m kind of scared to approach who ever they are.”

There’s another pause. Shawn flips her hand over so her bandaged palm is resting on his.

“You know,” He taps his other hand on top of hers in what she guesses is comfort, “Pretty much everyone here is a celebrity.”

Y/N raises her eyebrows at him. So?

“...It’s not like they won’t be able to afford a new one.”

“Do you really think I could get out without anyone noticing? Like I’m pretty sure some people saw me drop it and the owner might have noticed by now.”

Shawn hums, nodding his head in agreement.

“You know what, if you come out with me, I’ll help you sneak out this back entrance.” Y/N feels her heart jump.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to pull you away from the party…”

“Did you see Andrew?” He laughs, “Watching a bunch of drunk people is no fun anyways.”

A laugh escapes Y/N, agreeing with what he was saying. At least she wasn’t the only one who wasn’t feeling the evening.

“So what do you say we find a way out of here, ey?”

#ok so maybe im a little into shawn mendes all of a sudden #shawn mendes #shawn mendes smut #shawn mendes fic #shawn mendes imagine #shawn mendes blurb #shawn mendes one shot #shawn mendes dirty imagine #shawn mendes writing

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douxreviews · 5 years

Text

The Good Place - ‘The Book of Dougs’ Review

By Lamounier

"We're four Oreos from heaven."

It turns out the Soul Squad landed on a side sector of the Good Place, just not the main area.

And that was enough to make Eleanor super anxious. How can you be this close to heaven and not make it? After all they have been through (and she just remembers a tiny portion of it), it's understandable that all she wants is just to rest in peace.

But there is more going on in Eleanor's mind, and it's brought to the surface when Chidi tries to cheer her up (by dressing up as a mailman and looking damn fine) and she bursts into tears. Because she has never been this happy and she fears it will go away. Eleanor never had a meaningful, lasting connection with anyone in her lifetime like the one she has with the members of the Soul Squad, especially with Chidi. She freaked out earlier in the season over the possibility of losing them, and her insecurity pops out here again. But as Chidi tells her, she should focus on the now. I love that quote by Tolstoy because it's so truthful. The past can't be changed and it's naive to think that we can assure the future will be a certain way. We never know what's coming next, and best we can do is live the now, the only time we have any power over. Eleanor gets the message, and since she can't guarantee she will be with Chidi forever, she decides they better off consume their love while they can. And so they hit the sheets.

Another character who has trouble dealing with her emotions is Janet, and it happens after she learns that Jason and Tahani discovered she has feelings for him. She's still exhausted from keeping the four humans inside her void and doesn't want to deal with emotions while pretending to be a Neutral Janet. I loved Tahani trying to take care of the situation, particularly her misguided attempt to end her marriage with Jason. Her certificate was adorable, albeit incorrect. I mean, death literally didn't part them, in fact, it brought them together in the first place, but, okay, that second part she doesn't remember.

I liked the resolution to that subplot, which focused more on the ladies and less on the man in the middle, and I also liked how the three of them just ended up group-crying, no matter how silly Jason's inclusion in the moment was. These people can keep being rebooted and they'll still grow the strongest ties to one another. Although, since we are talking about it, this season better not end on another reboot.

While the humans and Janet worked their issues, Michael continued his journey to save humanity and it was a rather frustrating experience since the Useless Committee of Uselessness did nothing to help him. I mean, 1,400 years to select and align an investigative team? I know the writers were poking fun at endless bureaucracy and supposedly good people that just sit around and do nothing useful, but come on. There you have a demon trying his hardest to save humanity against a bunch of self-proclaimed good guys who do nothing more than pass memorandum to each other saying how concerned they are (that was totally a jab at social media activists, right?). Are those guys just that clueless or are they not really good to begin with?

In any case, Michael realizes through a quick chat with Tahani that the Bad Place isn't tampering with the points system, but in reality the world has become so complex and people so interconnected that being a good person became harder. Buying your grandmother roses would earn a few points 500 years ago, but now it will actually lose you some points, because such an action will indirectly condone pollution of the planet and slavery.

Okay, so, I want to nitpick this a little bit. First, even though we are very connected now, there are still a few groups who are largely disconnected or completely isolated. I understand that the writers of The Good Place live in the super connected side of humanity, but that's not how it is for everyone. However, this is a fantasy show and I can let that issue slide if I assume that in the world of The Good Place everyone is connected, no exceptions. My biggest problem with the logic behind Michael's realization, though, is that our stand against slavery, for instance, is rather new. 500 years ago, slavery was normalized and voices against it were dissonant noises, not the choir. So if today the biggest problem for humanity is how complex the world has become, back then it would be the lack of a more consolidated notion of human rights. In both eras, though, I can see a handful of people making it to the Good Place.

But, again, this is a fantasy show and I'm probably being too dense, because, leaving logic aside, I was rather fascinated by the concept of how far the ramifications of our actions should be taken into our account. People become vegan when they stop and think about how much their eating habits contribute to the abuse of animals. I have a colleague at work who is a vegetarian, so not really a vegan, but he told me he has a few rules, such as buying the most expensive eggs (according to him, the cheaper the egg, the more the chicken suffered). But he'd still be totally forked in the points system, because transportation of the eggs probably polluted atmosphere and so on. We have been speculating for a while the likelihood of the points system setting the bar too high, and now we have proof that's exactly what it does. However, in our real world, should we put our actions under the microscope? Are we to blame for the unintended consequences of our good deeds? I love how this show keeps asking some really interesting moral questions as it takes us along the ride.

Favorite Things/Smells

Eleanor: Typhoon Falls, her favorite water park. "Chlorine, suntan lotion, Band-Aids and a thick cloud of teen hormones."

Chidi: either warm pretzels or the smell of absolute moral truth. They do smell alike, Janet confirmed.

Jason: Black Bortles holding the Super Bowl MVP trophy. Also, weed.

Tahani: a curtain closing between first class and economy.

Doorman: frogs, obviously.

Bonus: Eleanor's tears tasted like the nacho cheese from her favorite movie theater.

Too bad we didn't learn what Janet's and Michael's favorite things/smells were. Janet's would certainly have something to do with Jason.

Other Bits

- There is only one door for humans to enter the Good Place, the official entrance.

- Everything Eleanor used to try to unlock the other door to the Good Place turned to glitter.

- Jason spoke of the time they were in Janet's void as if it had been ages ago.

- Janet worried that her emotions would come out of her butt.

- Michael's jawline is indeed great.

- I'm usually annoyed at characters who are too naive, but Gwendolyn was adorable.

- The note on the champagne Eleanor and Chidi opened said: "Gwendolyn, here's some champagne for you for thanking me for thanking you for thanking me for thanking you for thanking me for the champagne you sent me." I wonder how many champagne bottles Gwendolyn and the writer of that note gave one another.

- Was it me or Jameela's delivery of "but we really didn't deal with my thing" was very Buffy-esque?

- Next stop: IHOP, Interdimensional Hole of Pancakes.

Quotes

Tahani: "Are you sure we're in the actual Good Place? It's rather carpeted."

Jason: "What kind of messed-up place would turn away refugees?"

Tahani: "Jason, you seem thoughtful. And that concerns me."

Jason: "It's nice to know I can talk about girls with my wife."

Chidi: "It's like when my parents would go to a symposium and I would sneak into their office and read the unabridged dictionary." Eleanor: "I can't believe I'm attracted to you."

Chidi: "Is this a horny cry?"

Chidi: "There is a quote I like by Tolstoy. 'There is only one time that is important. Now. It is the only time when we have any power.'" Eleanor: "I know that quote. An unverified Tyra Banks account posted that meme on Instagram." Chidi: "Well, now I hate it."

Michael: "The Titanic is sinking, and they're writing a strongly-worded letter to the iceberg."

Tahani: "There are so many unintended consequences to well-intentioned actions. It feels like a game you can't win."

Janet: "Why are you crying?" Tahani: "I don't know. I'm British, I never cry."

It's so unfair that there are only two more episodes left this season. Three out of four closed doors to heaven.

#The Good Place #Eleanor Shellstrop #Chidi Anagonye #Tahani Al-Jamil #Jason Mendoza #The Good Place Reviews #Doux Reviews #TV Reviews

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hazzasgayvodka · 5 years

Text

11 * ICEBERG * 11

Impact: Chapter 11

Chapter title song: Iceberg - BORNS

HARRY

I meet her eyes across the office as soon as her mouth falls open. She looks between us and I know instantly that she's figured it out. Of course she has, I've been damned to look just like him.

I mouth to her to leave and she nods her head, pressing the button for the elevator again and turning her back to me. Dammit, all I want to see is her eyes.

I follow Lex to the conference room with Vance trailing behind me, trying desperately to carry a conversation with me. Sorry, Dad, not happening. I look back to the elevators to see her gone and relief and dread fill me equally within the same two seconds. As much as I want her beside me right now, I need to do this alone, and I want him nowhere near her.

"Harry?"

The asking of my name sends me hurtling back to reality where I'm living a day in my own personal hell, being ushered into a claustrophobic room and once again sat at a wooden table much too large for only three people. But today, there won't only be three people.

I'm trying to keep my breathing in check as more and more people filter into the room, Lisa from marketing and Zach from sales. Everyone and their mother is squished into this tiny glass cell of a room and suddenly I can't breathe but I take a sip of water and imagine my hand sitting on her thigh.

Once everyone is seated and my glass of water is empty from my nervous sipping, Lex steps up to the head of the table.

"So, let's get this show on the road," Lex begins, grabbing his manila folder from the table, prompting everyone else to follow suit.

It's now that I realize I left mine in my office and curse myself for being so frazzled while getting ready. I shove my annoying glasses up on my nose and nearly take them off before I remember her request and decide to keep them on. Vance notices the absence of my manila folder and silently offers me his but I shove it back towards him forcefully, I want nothing of his.

He gives me a sad smile as he takes it back in his hands and turns back to Lex, clearing his throat. I hope to god that he chokes.

"So, Mr. Styles, would you like to start?" Lex asks cheerfully, and my heartbeat picks up for a split second before I realize that he's talking to Vance, not me.

"Why of course," Vance smiles, already starting to pace at the head of the table to prepare for his presentation, "If you don't know, I'm Vance Styles, Lexington's brother. We both started these publishing companies a long time ago and as you all know it began as one corporation." He smiles, gesturing to the first page in the folder that showed a picture of Vance and Lex at twenty and twenty-four years old, "It wasn't easy starting out at such a young age but with a little help from mom and dad as well as a whole lot of luck, we made it," He laughs and the rest of the employees in the room join him.

As Lex joins him at the front and slings his arm around his brother I roll my eyes and finally allow myself to slump in my chair. The itinerary for the meeting said nothing about letting them bant around with each other for the first twenty minutes.

"For reasons that were applicable at the time, we split into two companies. I stuck with the name Styles and Lex went on to lead Lexington Publishing. But, those reasons have been resolved and as you all know we are merging our companies back together."

"It's going to take a lot of work and relocating and hiring the right staff, but I think we can have two amazing locations of Styles Publishing by next year," Lex chimes in, "That's the plan anyway!" He laughs.

"As far as all of you go, as heads of departments it's your job to take care of relocations of employees as well as hires to fill needed positions. We've recently promoted many promising employees and have already transferred four of our higher ups to the San Francisco location to get things moving. As far as open positions go, we're loaded with empty entry level offers as well as room for a board member to represent the editing department."

I perk up immediately, my brain already trying to recall how much a board member's salary is per year. It's got to be nearly double what I make now which is nearly jack shit between rent, classes, and fucking college textbooks. Why didn't he tell me about this before?

"And of course, with a new direction and brand to keep up with, we had to come up with a new company stanza, something that really sums up who we are. From me and my brother to the future generations to come, we will be known as, Styles Publishing: A Legacy."

Lex's eyes drift to mine as everyone claps and shrieks with excitement at the thought of what's to come. I only feel bile rising in my throat.

"I won't always be around to run this place and neither will Vance and I think I speak for both of us when I say we can't think of a better person to be an heir to this company than, Harry." Lex smiles, gesturing for me to join them at the head of the table.

I refrain from rolling my eyes, an obvious habit I've started picking up from Jess. I push away from the table and stand up to meet them at the other end of the room. I pride myself when I realize that I stand a good six inches taller than them both. Lex grabs the display board of the new logo and Jenna from marketing kneels down in front of us to take a photo. I plaster on my fake smile, remembering that I'm wearing these stupid glasses after she snaps the picture. Dammit.

A searing pop echoes through the tiny room as people stand from their chairs and I quickly recognize the sound to be that of a bottle of champagne. I narrow my eyes on the source of the sound, the damn bottle foaming all over the table from Tabitha's hands.

A hand taps me on the shoulder and I turn around to be face to face with Vance. I feel my teeth grit as he lays a hand on my shoulder, making me jump.

"What do you want?" I huff, shoving his hand off of me.

"I just want you to know that I'm excited to be business partners," He smiles, "and nice glasses, I didn't even know you wore them."

"Well, you find things like that out if you actually take your kids to an optometrist or any kind of doctor for that fucking matter." I huff, turning back towards the door.

I need to get away from here right now. I need a cigarette, no, something stronger. I need about a fifth of Jim Beam and a good fight. My fists are already clenched at my sides, my knuckles white. I shove past the other employees as they pat me on the back and congratulate me on being the heir of the Styles Publishing.

I finally get to the door and stumble out into the empty office space, everyone else having already gone home. The whole meeting felt like a time warp and I find myself surprised when I see the clock reading nearly seven o'clock.

I enter my office and throw my glasses onto my desk in frustration. Every part of me wants to scream but instead I slip my suit jacket off my shoulders and toss it on my chair, unbuttoning my shirt down to my belly button. When I pull my hair out of the ridiculous bun on top of my head, I finally feel like myself.

I put a cigarette between my teeth and grab my lighter as I make my way back out into the hall as I head for the elevators to get home. No, to get to her. The elevator doors pull open and I make a b-line for the glass doors until my eyes land on...

"Jess?"

She comes running up to me with shaking hands, reaching for me but I take a step back, out of her grasp and I feel my face contort in anger.

"I thought I said to go home?" I ask through my gritted teeth.

"I couldn't, I couldn't leave you here, I didn't know what was going on and-"

"I specifically told you to go home! I even wore those goddamn glasses because you fucking promised! I don't need your help!" I shout.

Her face falls when my words hit her and I open my mouth to speak again but I'm cut off by a flood of voices erupting from the elevator as the doors screech open. I look over my shoulder as soon as I hear him, his loud London accent easily recognizable in the large crowd of Americans.

I shove Jess towards the doors, walking quickly behind her and urging her to walk faster. I hope to god he doesn't see us as Jess fires a million questions at me that I don't bother to answer.

"Harry! You left early!" His voice booms through the lobby causing me to stop in my tracks, nearly out the door.

I turn around with a grimace, dropping Jess' hand immediately and taking a step away from her. If he's going to know who she is, he will never know that she's with me.

"And who might this young lady be?" He asks, walking up to us with his hand extended.

Jess shakes his hand with a smile, easily persuaded by his charming facade, "Hi, I'm Jess, I'm-"

"A new intern here." I finish for her, catching her murderous gaze out of the corner of my eye.

"Ah, nice to meet you," Vance smiles, patting her shoulder, "Well where are you two off to?" He asks, dragging me back into conversation.

"Well I was just heading to take care of some errands for Audrie and, Harry? I have no idea, probably a smoke break if I had to guess?" She laughs, looking up to meet my eyes with a challenging glare.

"Actually, I have to get back to this annoying bitch I have staying at my apartment right now," I say maliciously, sending her a smirk before turning back to Vance, "She's a real piece of work-"

It's Jess that cuts me off this time. She's fuming as she turns back to me with daggers for eyes and I know for sure that if looks could kill I'd be a corpse.

"Well I sure hope you two have fun." She huffs, turning around and walking out the glass doors without so much as a glance at Vance.

I don't take a second look at Vance before following her outside and chasing her down the steps calling her name.

"Jess! Come on! I drove you here!" I shout, reaching for her shirt to pull her back to me.

"I already texted Sam, she'll be here in ten minutes." She snaps, turning away from me with her arms crossed against her chest.

"Oh come on, how are you the angry one here? I told you to do one thing! I told you to go home early from work! Most people would jump at the chance! But you can't even do that, you have to make that difficult too!" I bark back, her eyes getting glossier by the second.

"I was worried about you!" She shouts, a single tear escaping from the corner of her eye and running down her cheek.

"Well don't be, I can handle myself Jessica! I don't need you always going delving into my personal shit!"

She purses her lips at this and I can tell she's trying to piece together an argument to throw back in my face. But there is none, she's in the wrong, now if only she'd admit it.

"Harry, you scared me to death today! I have never seen you that angry and I didn't know what to do! I didn't know a name could have that effect on you, I'm sorry that I was curious about the person that could make big bad Harry Styles into a whimpering little boy!"

As soon as the words come out of her mouth I can tell that she regrets them. My blood is boiling as I take a step towards her and her inhaled breath gets caught in her throat. She tries to stand her ground, but I can see the warbling of her eyes.

"Listen here, Lawson," I seethe, my voice calculated and precise, "you might think you know me, but you have no idea. I hate to remind you but you're my fucking assistant and as your boss I can have you fired from here just as quick as you were hired. Next time I tell you to do something, you better do it. Is that clear?"

"Crystal." She mocks, rolling her eyes as she turns around and walks to the opposite side of the parking lot.

I watch her as she goes before climbing into my car and slamming the car door shut. As soon as I'm surrounded in silence my thoughts are too much to handle. Have I let her get too close? Did I say the wrong thing? Is everything ruined?

I let my head hit the steering wheel in exasperation before reaching for my keys and starting the car. I turn the music up obscenely loud to drown out my mind and pull out of my parking spot. I search the lot for her but come up empty and find myself wanting to call her to make sure she's okay.

JESS

I take my phone out of my purse and dial Sam's number while I try my best to keep my tears and sniffles at bay. She picks up on the third ring and instantly asks what wrong. I simply ask her to pick me up from work and nearly slip up and tell her that Harry couldn't drive me home. No matter how mad I am at him, I won't tell his secret.

She tells me she'll be here as soon as she can and hangs up, leaving me in silence, pacing the sidewalk once again. I see his car finally driving through the parking lot to leave and I wonder what took him so damn long. The large glass door shoves open, revealing Vance behind it and my instinct is to run but I decide to go directly against Harry's wishes and walk towards him.

"Hey, Mr. Vance, have a good night!" I call to him, waving.

"Oh, Jess, right? What are you doing standing out here in the cold? And no jacket? My god you're going to freeze!" He laughs, walking over to me.

Well I simply thought your son would lend me his, but it turns out, as I already knew, that he is an undeniable asshole, sir.

"Yeah, slipped my mind on the way in, silly me," I laugh, wrapping my arms around myself to keep warm, "I'm just waiting on a ride."

"Well, you seem like a very bright young lady, I'm excited to see what you accomplish within the company," He smiles, seeming genuine, "What department do you work in?"

"Editing," I begin, deciding whether or not I want to go against Harry's precautions, "I'm Harry's assistant."

He looks indifferent as his eyes travel to the sidewalk, I can't tell if he's glad or feeling sorry for me. He looks back up to meet my eyes with his smile plastered back on and it's then that he's wearing that fake smile that he looks the most like his son.

"Oh, Harry's a good boss, he's a bit temperamental sometimes but he's a fine young man, I assure you." He grins but his smile doesn't reach his eyes.

"I know him." I blurt out, wishing I could stuff it back in again.

"Pardon me?" He asks, wanting me to repeat what I already wish I didn't say.

"I mean, I have classes with him, I see him outside the office sometimes, I know he's not all hard as nails as he wants everyone to think." I say, choosing my words carefully.

He laughs at this, turning back towards the parking lot with a genuine smile on his face. He takes out his keys and the sleek silver Porsche parked in the front row comes to life.

"I'm glad someone sees him that way," He grins, his eyes solemn, "You have a good night, Jess. Don't forget your jacket tomorrow."

"Yes, sir." I laugh, relief flooding over me when I see Sam's red Honda pull into the parking lot.

She pulls up right in front of me and beeps the horn as I quickly grab the door handle and climb inside, cranking the heat up in order to defrost myself. She hands me a jacket and I pull it over my head immediately, shoving my hands in front of the air vents to blast them with hot air.

"I can't believe you missed the bus." She laughs, pulling away from the curb.

"Yeah, didn't realize what time it was." I shrug, trying to keep my lies in check with each other.

"Well, how about some coffee to warm up with?" She suggests but I barely hear her over my thoughts.

Why was he so worried about me meeting Vance anyways? He's so nice and professional, our conversation in the parking lot was light and he even complimented Harry. Why is he trying to keep me away from Vance when Vance is a better person than he is?

She pulls into the parking lot of the Starbucks anyways and turns the car off too soon. We get out and huddle together as we walk to the front doors and quickly slip inside to bask in the warmth.

"Oh god, it feels great in here." Sam sighs, color slowly returning to her cheeks.

"Yeah, I didn't even realize how cold it was, the office felt fine." I nod, following her into line.

It's then that I see his fluffy head of blonde hair at the front of the line ordering a coffee. A smile comes over my face immediately and I grab Sam's hand, dragging her to the front with me to see him. He turns around when I tap his shoulder and his face lights up.

"Hey, Miles?"

"Jess!" He smiles, taking me in for a hug and I gladly welcome his warmth.

He turns back to the barista at the counter and tells him to get us whatever we want and add it to his order. He turns to smile at me as he says it and tucks me into his side when he realizes I'm shivering.

"Miles, you don't have to do that, I got it." I assure him.

"Well I know I don't have to, but I want to." He grins, gesturing for me to order and I do so despite it being my second drink from here today.

After I grab my hot chocolate from the counter, Miles walks me back to the front of the shop and I brace myself before going back outside. As I reach for the door handle he grabs my arm and pulls me back to him.

"Wait, Jess, I've been meaning to ask you, can we hang out again sometime?" He asks.

"Well yeah, we agreed on studying at the library on-"

"No, not stats or studying or class, I mean, let me take you out to dinner or something? Maybe?" He suggests nervously.

"Oh, I would love to Miles." I say, and his eyes look back up to mine, a smile gracing his face.

"Really? How about tomorrow night?

I try to remember what time I get off of work and then my mind goes hurtling back to him. Sam elbows me in the ribs, turning to Miles with a forced smile.

"Sounds perfect, you can pick her up at seven," Sam grins, hooking her arm through mine and nearly dragging me outside, "she's super excited, have a good night, Miles!"

As soon as we're stuffing ourselves back in the car she slaps my arm, looking at me incredulously.

"What the hell, Jess?" She shouts.

"What?"

"Were you actually going to say no to that poor boy?" She asks.

"Well, I don't know, I don't think he's-"

"If you say you don't think he's your type I will actually kick you in the mouth." She laughs, pulling out of the parking space.

"What? Why?"

"Because you always say that! You said that about Jace and Harry and now Miles! What is your type for god's sake because you've got quite the stack of wild cards in that bunch!" She chuckles, pulling back onto the main road just as her phone goes off.

She hands it to me and tells me to read it but I'm not sure I can stomach the words, "Louis says Harry is in a really bad mood, he says to give him some time to cool off and find something to do."

Sam looks at me with furrowed eyebrows as she stops at the red light and sits back in her chair. She takes her phone back from my hands and reads over the message herself.

"What happened? It's that bad that Louis doesn't want us around at all?" She asks, turning to look at me and dropping her phone in the cupholder beside her.

I don't meet her eyes as my smile inevitably turns into a frown. I turn to look out the window instead as she lists off things that we can go do while we wait for Harry to cool off but all I want to do is go home and make sure that he's okay.

#harry styles #harry styles au #harry styles imagine #harry styles smut #harry styles angst #harry #harry styles fic #harry styles fanfic #harry styles fanfiction #one direction #one direction fanfic #one direction smut

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master-sass-blast · 6 years

Text

Everything Needs a Little Magic

ALL. ABOARD. THE FLUFF TRAIN!

Seriously. This is just fluff. Entirely self indulgent.

Summary: You and Piotr spend the day watching Disney movies.

THAT’S IT. NO PLOT. NOTHING BUT FLUFF. I’M DEADASS SERIOUS.

Pairings: Piotr Rasputin x Reader.

Rating: T for making out.

@colossus-and-cable-and-thanos THIS IS ALSO FOR YOU, BB. YOU KNOW WHY! YOU KNOW!

(Also, while we’re here, I highly recommend that y’all check out @x-men-babe‘s blog. They’ve got a masterlist (unlike me, who can’t get their SHIT together) and their writing is really fantastic (READ ICEBOX. DO IT. YOUR LIFE WILL BE BETTER FOR IT. I PROMISE!).

And, unlike me, they take requests! I’ve had a couple people ask me if I take requests. At this point, I don’t, and I’m not sure if I ever will. Outside of special occasions (or finishing my Piotr fic series, which’ll probably take at least a year), it’s not something I can see myself doing. I get very attached to ideas and tend to covet them closely, which ultimately doesn’t work well with doing requests (that and I don’t struggle with writing of my own volition).

But yes! Check out x-men-babe’s blog! You won’t regret it! 10000% Goblin Guarantee of quality!)

Sunlight dapples the bright green undergrowth of the woods behind the X-Mansion. Birds chirp overhead, their merry sounding songs echoing up to the bright, flawless blue sky. Bees occasionally buzz past, in search of the next patch of cutely colored flowers.

It’s a picturesque day.

You, however, are not.

You’re absolutely drenched in sweat, slick and shiny with it as you jog on a well worn path in the woods. Your shirt and gym shorts cling to your body, darkened with your excess perspiration. Your hair is equal parts limp and frizzy, and the strands that have fallen out of your haphazard pony tail --tied during the ugly hours of the morning when you’d first woken up to start your work out--are plastered against your forehead or your neck. Your knees are smudged with dirt from where you tripped earlier --along with your hands--and you just generally look like a mess.

A happy mess, though. A well-exercised mess. This run has been a part of your daily routine for several months now, and you’ve built enough endurance to go the whole distance without stopping or passing out!

You are, however, realizing that you might need to get up earlier if you want to avoid the sweltering summer temperatures and the corresponding sweat bath. You’re not sure which is more disgusting --being so sweaty that people can see their reflections when they look at your skin, or getting up early.

You’re pretty sure it’s getting up early. Probably.

As you jog through the gardens and towards the back of the mansion, you spy Piotr sitting out by the back door in his human form, presumably waiting for you.

Part of it is elating --because just last night he confessed he was in love with you and borderline made out with you on a secluded bench behind a tree, and you’re always happy to see him--but part of it is groan worthy --because just last night he confessed he was in love with you and borderline made out with you on a secluded bench behind a tree, and right now you look absolutely awful.

You slow to a stop a few feet away from him and spread your arms wide, as if waiting for applause before taking a bow. “Behold me and all my drippy glory!”

Piotr chuckles as you flop onto the ground. “You look fine, myshka. I take it your run went well?”

“Yeah, it’s fine, but it’s so damn hot.” You sit up and grimace when you try --and fail--to wipe stray blades of grass off your arms.

“Perhaps you should start waking up earlier.” He’s frowning now, concerned. “It is not good to run in this heat. You could make yourself sick.”

“Okay, I know you’re just trying to help me be healthy, but you should know that suggesting waking up anytime before eight is treason.”

He smiles fondly and shakes his head. “Will you listen if I offer something in return?”

“Absolutely. Even if it’s just you taking your shirt off. Especially if it’s you taking your shirt off. Can you tell I have a vested interest in seeing you with your shirt off?”

His cheeks flush red, but he laughs anyway as he holds out a water bottle to you. “I thought you would be thirsty, since you usually don’t take drink with you. Which--”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. Not healthy.” You groan as you press the cool plastic against your hot skin, then take a few icy sips and sigh contentedly. “You’re a real prince among men. You know that, Piotr?”

“Last I checked, it’s called being nice.”

“Pretty sure you’re just an alien that thrives off being courteous.”

He raises an eyebrow at you and smirks. “So, I am alien Prince?”

“I don’t see why not. You’ve got manners and can morph into a massive metal version of yourself. Pretty fuckin’ weird, if you ask me.” You guzzle a little more water, then groan as you push yourself into a standing position. “You’re dressed casual today. Is school not in?”

“Nyet. We are out for year.”

Right. You knew that. Duh.

Your brain does the math of it’s own volition.

The students and most of the teachers are out for the day and won’t be back until late evening. Those who’ve stayed behind will likely spend the day doing what they want. And, as if that wasn’t wonderful enough, Wade and Nathan are out of the house on a job for Weasel.

You smile as an idea comes together in your head. “Are there any missions you have to go on.”

Piotr shakes his head. “Nyet.”

“Do you have any hard set plans for the day?”

He’s smiling now, catching on to what’re you’re getting at. “I do not.”

“Then, what say you and I spend the day together once I’m done showering? I’m thinking marathon movie session.”

“I think I would enjoy that very much.” He opens the back door for you and ushers you inside. “But you really should take water with you on runs, moya lyubov’. Dehydration is no joking matter.”

You hide your fond smile by lifting the spout of the water bottle to your lips and let your mother-hen boyfriend lecture you about proper athletic safety and the importance of being well hydrated.

God, you love this man.

Once you’ve thoroughly scrubbed yourself and put on some dry clothes that don’t reek of sweat, you pop downstairs in search of Piotr.

He’s in the kitchen, making an early lunch for himself. “Have you eaten yet, myshka?”

“No. I prefer doing fasted workouts. You build more muscle that way.”

“Da, but you should eat something. You have burnt great deal of energy.”

“I’m going to.” You pat his arm reassuringly. “You don’t have to worry, okay? Believe me, I’m starving. There’s no way I’m going any longer without eating than I absolutely have to.”

The line of his shoulders relaxes as he exhales. “Sorry, I--”

“Don’t apologize, Pete. I like the way you’re sweet and want to take care of everyone; it’s endearing.” Then, to prove your point, you clamber up onto the stool next to him and kiss him.

Even though most of you is completely swept away by the sheer sensation of his lips pressing against yours, a tiny part of your brain still registers ‘holy fucking shit, I’m kissing Piotr, I’m his girlfriend now, I can kiss him whenever I want, this is so fucking awesome--’

He breaks the kiss with a smile and rubs the swells of your cheeks with his thumbs. “I don’t think I’m ever going to get enough of that.”

You grin and lean back in for another kiss. “Me either.”

He presses a gentle finger against your lips. “Eat something, please, dorogaya moya.”

You kiss the pad of his finger and hop off the stool. “Fine. If you insist. So, what movies are we watching?”

“I thought I would let you choose. I put my DVD binder on table in rec room.”

You stealthily lift a pack of Pop Tarts out of one of the boxes Wade has stashed on top of the fridge, then use Piotr’s meal prep distraction to slip into the rec room with your hard earned treat in hand. You situate yourself on the couch, open the foil wrapper holding the breakfast pastry as quietly as you can, and shove half a Pop Tart in your mouth while you start flipping through the DVD booklet.

The sheer number of choices is overwhelming. You wouldn’t have pegged your boyfriend as a movie junkie. The case contains a little bit of everything, from some discs with titles in Russian --no surprise there--to cheesy rom coms to several pieces by Alfred Hitchcock.

What is surprising, though, is when you spy Disney’s Peter Pan movie at the bottom right corner of one of the ‘pages.’ After staring at it for a moment, wondering why Piotr would have a kid’s movie, you shrug it off and flip over to the other side. He’s a teacher. Of course he’d have a kid’s movie or two.

Except it isn’t just one or two. Peter Pan is just the tip of the iceberg; a few quick, disbelieving flips to the end of the binder confirms that he has every Disney movie released on DVD, from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Moana.

Woah. Did not see this coming.

“Pop Tarts are not a meal, dorogaya moya.”

“Agree to disagree.” You look up at him as he walks into the rec room with two plates of food. “Hey, why do you have so many Disney movies?”

“They are happy movies,” he says as he sets one of the plates in your lap. “Besides, I like the art and animation.”

“I’ve never seen ‘em. What makes them so great?”

“Well, the older ones were done by hand. Artists made backgrounds, then painted animation cels for each frame. The cels were photographed, then put together into full movie. It is...” His voice trails off as he tries to find the words. “Awe-inspiring, as artist, to watch. Compared to modern standards, the movies are arguably crude, but the amount of effort is... amazing. And I think the old movies are beautiful in ways that new movies aren’t. The texturing of the backgrounds, the softness... it is incredible.”

“Wow. That is cool. What about the newer ones?”

“Computer animation is fascinating. I doubt it will ever be ‘my thing’ but it is still interesting to watch. Plus, stories and plots are better written. Usually.”

“Always a good thing.” You shove the last Pop Tart half into your mouth and shrug. “Disney’s good. You pick where we start.”

“We start at beginning,” he says emphatically as he carries the DVD carrier over to the entertainment center.

You look down at the plate as he sets everything up and gasp when you realize it has a neat little pile of Cheetos on it. “Wait, is this for me?”

“Da. I told you Pop Tarts were not meal.”

“Man, I scored a total package. How did that even happen?”

He blushes as he stands and walks over to the couch. “I think am I the one who ‘scored,’ myshka.”

You smile and sigh happily when he presses his lips against yours.

There’s no way life gets any better than this.

Life, in fact, does get better.

Namely, in the sense that you get to spend the whole day watching Disney movies with your boyfriend.

And in the sense that, if prompted, Piotr will literally spend several minutes explaining the behind the scenes effort that went into the animating the old movies, the techniques used by the artists to construct the backgrounds, and the sheer level of talent it takes to sync audio to hand-fucking-painted animation.

That, and the movies are just that gorgeous. Granted, the writing in the newer ones are usually better --the two of you opt to hop back and forth between old and new since there’s no way you’ll make it through every single Disney movie in one day--but the level of artistry in all of them leaves you absolutely speechless.

“Man, I’ve really been missing out!” you murmur, awestruck, as you watch the ‘Whole New World’ sequence in Aladdin. “This is amazing! How did they even do this?”

“Much of animation was done on computers at this point,” Piotr says. “It allows for art to move better with music, more creative freedom.”

“No kidding.” You can’t help but smile as you watch the magic carpet soar up into the clouds as the music swells. “This is really beautiful.”

“Da,” Piotr agrees softly.

And then he shifts closer to you, stretches his arms above his head, and lets one settle around your shoulders as he relaxes again.

Suddenly, your proximity to your boyfriend is a lot more interesting than the movie. You’re tucked against his side, sitting thigh to thigh, and his arm is warm and comfortably heavy on your shoulder.

You’re hit by a desire to kiss him --and it suddenly occurs to you that there’s nothing stopping you. The two of you are in a relationship, there’s no one around that would make doing it ‘inappropriate,’ and you’re practically on a quasi-date. There’s never been a better time for it.

You wriggle into his lap until you’re straddling him, propped up on your knees --he’s so much taller than you that at times it’s almost ridiculous--and loop your arms around his next before leaning into kiss him.

Piotr’s hands flit up and down your arms, your shoulders, and your sides before settling at your waist. He uses his hold on you to pull you close, bringing the two of you flush together.

You let out a happy sigh when he wraps his muscular arms around you, effectively cradling you against his burly chest, and kiss him harder. You’ve been pining for him for so long, and now that the two of you are together you never want to stop kissing him. Touching him. Being around him.

“Is this your way of saying that you don’t want to watch movie anymore?” Piotr asks, a little breathless, when the kiss breaks.

“No,” you murmur as you kiss the bridge of his nose. “I just love you.”

His cheeks flush a lovely shade of rose as he smiles sweetly at you. “I love you too, myshka.”

You turn around and settle in his lap to finish watching the movie, snuggled happily in his arms.

This. Life definitely doesn’t get better than this.

Except it does. The universe is hellbent on proving you wrong today, and you’re loving every moment of it.

Once the film finishes, Piotr suggests that the two of you take a stroll through the gardens to get your blood flowing.

The carefully arranged and tended to patches of flowers and bushes look utterly wonderful in the golden, early evening light. A soft breeze stirs the late spring air, keeping everything perfectly comfortable as the two of you walk along the gravel pathways.

Piotr’s hand in solid and warm around yours, and you never expected such a small, simple form of contact to feel so exhilarating. You almost can’t believe that it’s real, that he’s really your boyfriend now and really loves you.

The two of you talk about whatever comes to mind --mostly the movies you’ve been watching--and take your time as you meander around the grounds of Xavier’s. There’s no reason to hurry; the students and teachers won’t be back from their beach trip for a few more hours, there aren’t any missions that need responding to, and with Wade out of the house on one of his jobs there aren’t any explosions or other disasters to shatter the easy, peaceful lull in the air.

“I’ve really enjoyed today,” you say quietly as you squeeze Piotr’s hand.

“So have I, dorogaya moya. This has been... wonderful.” He stops --slowly enough that you don’t stumble or jerk back--and bends down to kiss you.

You smile into the kiss, and rest one hand on his chest and the other on his cheek.

It’s absolutely magical. Maybe the Disney movies have been rubbing off on your life.

“Think we have time for one more movie?” you ask when he pulls back.

“I think so,” he says with a soft, happy smile.

“Cool.” You grin giddily as you walk back to the house, hand in hand, the promise of more quiet, intimate, magic-filled time together beckoning alluringly.

This. Life doesn’t get better than this.

#sass writes #piotr rasputin x reader #colossus x reader #fluff fluff fluff #pure fluff #so many cavities were formed in the process of making this fic #deadpool fanfiction #x men fanfiction #disney

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slipstreamborne · 6 years

Text

Clearer with Distance (2014 fic)

rating: G summary: Donatello is almost eight before they finally find a pair of glasses with his correct prescription. Before that, the severely farsighted turtle just has to make do. His brothers do what they can to help out, even if it means reading all his boring stereo instructions to him for the millionth time. notes: 2k fluffy turtle tot fic with just a touch of angst. read at ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/15006035

The box is slick underneath Donnie’s fingers, glossy cardboard unwarped by water, the corners crisp and unworn. New, or at least freshly thrown out, which for a mutated turtle scavenging the sewers of New York is basically the same thing.

His chest swells with excitement, expert fingers feeling at the seams until he finds the opening flap. The box is bulky but light—a promising combination—and rattles faintly when shaken. Definitely some twist ties loose in there. He gropes greedily inside, worming his skinny arm in between the broken pieces of protective Styrofoam until his fist closes on his prize: a thin paper booklet with staples along the binding.

“Oh no,” groans Mikey, somewhere off to his left. “He found another one.”

“Not it,” says Raph automatically; a mistake, because he’s close enough that Donnie can pinpoint him by sound even if he has trouble picking his blurred form out from the rest of the garbage heap.

“Raph!” He thrusts the little pamphlet towards what he guesses is his brother’s nose. “What’s this say?”

Shadows of hands shove him back, not hard enough to knock him over, though. “I dunno, genius. It’s dark.”

“Not that dark.” A greasy yellow glow fills the far end of the tunnel, casting crisp shadows against the brick. The light’s softer here, the edges of things increasingly smeared the closer he gets to them, but it’s bright enough that Donnie barely has to use his flashlight. It’s easier for him to spot the gleam of a potentially interesting object than sort through every washed up boot and rusted can by hand. Safer, too, as the still-thumping cut bisecting his left palm can attest. At least it’s finally crusted over and stopped oozing. “C’mon, read it for me.”

“I ain’t gonna!”

“Read it read it read it read it—”

“Hush.”

Dad doesn’t shout. Dad hardly ever has to shout, and never twice. Not so close to topside, anyway. Donnie’s mouth clamps shut obediently.

“This is not the place. Raphael will read to you when we get home, Donatello.”

Raph whines (“Daaaad, I read the last one!”), but his father holds firm, setting him back to the day’s scavenging with a single clipped command. Reassured that he’s not the one to have been assigned to the task, the soft, mostly-blue shape of Leo finally pops into view, a smear of white slashing crookedly across where his mouth should be.

“Over here,” he says, taking Donnie by the hand (something Donnie hates, but on unfamiliar territory has no grounds to object to). “Found a bunch of onions. Help me pick out the rotten ones.”

Everybody has their place within the family. If you need somebody to boost you into a high pipe or check in the shadows for monsters (Raph says that the towering white figures from his dreams with needles for fingers aren’t real, but Donnie’s not so sure), you get Dad. If you need somebody to tell you all the rules for Yu-Gi-Oh or tattle on you when you wander too far into the dark, you get Leo. Mikey’s great at farting at the dinner table and whining until you feel sorry for him when he loses a game that he made up the rules to, while it’s Raph’s job to not share when you want a turn at shooting baskets and snuggle up tight against you under the blankets when winter blows ice cold through the Lair.

Donnie’s got strong, nimble fingers and can recite long passages of Harry Potter from memory, even does a pretty good job of mimicking the voices that Dad uses, but when Leo finds a coverless copy of The Order of the Phoenix—their one missing title in the series—nobody asks him take over when Dad gets too tired to do another chapter.

It’s not that Donatello doesn’t know how to read. Dad taught him his alphabet same as his brothers, one warm hand at his elbow as he guided Donnie’s finger through the thick, ever-gathering dust of the fan room floor, tracing out the shape of each letter over and over until Donnie had every stroke memorized.

If he writes large enough, going back over each word twice with the long side of their few precious pieces of grubby sidewalk chalk until the pastel lines stand out bold against the dark concrete floors, Donnie can make out whole words. Kanji is harder, crucial, tiny strokes lost amidst the overall shape of the character, but Dad has a long scroll of poetry in oversized calligraphy hanging above his sleeping mat that Donnie has had memorized since he was three:

A lovely thing to see: through the paper window's hole, the Galaxy.

For reasons he can’t yet explain, he has no trouble at all reading the oversized text of the bulletin boards he occasionally glimpses through narrow storm drains, hungry eyes devouring every line of copy even if he lacks the context needed to appreciate the appeal of things like “semi-annual sales” and “now in theaters”.

He has never seen a star, much less a galaxy, but after some careful questioning, he doesn’t think Leo or Raph or Mikey have seen one, either.

The bigger something is, the further it is away, the easier it is for Donnie to understand.

The problem is that the things that interest him, that confound him and make him burn for more, are close and very, very small.

He gets so frustrated. So angry. It’s there, it’s right there, but he can’t—

“Please.” He shoves the stack of books into his brother’s hands. “Please please pleeeeease...!”

“Fine,” Leo sighs, even though they both know that technically, it’s Raph’s turn again. “Fine.”

There’s an old beanbag chair that Dad sewed up that’s almost big enough for two. Leo tucks his feet under him primly while Donnie wedges himself firmly against his side, long legs braced against a crack in the concrete to keep them from toppling over.

“I’m not reading you Advanced Wiring again, I know you’ve got that one memorized.” He tosses the battered book to the side with a thump. “So which’ll it be? Heating and Plumbing or Decks, Porches, and Patios?”

“Decks.” The meager collection of Time Life Home Repair and Improvement books is one of his most prized possessions. Heating and Plumbing is his second favorite, but Leo’s terrible at describing all of the diagrams. “The part about load-bearing footings.”

The book smells comfortingly of mildew when Leo cracks it open. He’s smaller than Donnie by almost half a foot, his head wobbling precariously on a neck barely bigger than Raph’s wrist, but he has a nice voice, smooth and even with an extra puff of breath behind the t sounds that Donnie finds himself echoing for hours afterwards.

“Where do you want me to start? Concrete forms or how to determine the frost line?”

“Doesn’t matter.” He hasn’t told Leo that he’s actually memorized that one, too. All of them, to be honest. It’s just that sometimes he needs something, anything, to help his brain go quiet. “Frost lines.”

Leo flips to the appropriate page, squirms until his shell is nestled more comfortably in the folds of the beanbag, and starts to read. Donnie digs his sharp chin into the hollow of his brother’s shoulder, closes his eyes, and listens.

Mikey is the best at it, despite being the least interested in schoolwork of any of them. Maybe it’s because of his blasé acceptance of his own academic shortcomings. Where Leo huffs and repeats things over and over, trying to get it perfect, and Raph storms off with a growl at the first barrier he can’t punch his way through, Mikey plunges right along unrattled no how many bumps he hits, accepting any corrections to his pronunciation with a casual shrug.

Even when the manual turns out to be written in French.

“En-lev-ez le...’ The heck is this word, bro? One of the letters is wearing a hat. ‘Buh... Booty-er?’”

“Spell it if you can’t sound it out.”

“B-O-I with a pointed hat-T-I-E-R.”

Donnie frowns, fingers retracing his steps across the condensation pump, trying to figure out which piece is most likely supposed to come off next. “I think that’s the cover for the fan.” He gives the fan enclosure an experimental pull, then a twist, then a harder, more determined pull, but it doesn’t budge. He runs his fingers around its rim, looking for the telltale round bump of a screwheads, but finds nothing. “Uh, is there a tab I’m supposed to press to make it pop off or...?”

“Maybe?” A rustle of paper as Mikey folds the directions back to look at the diagram. “Are you sure these are the right instructions for this pump? It doesn’t quite look like the drawing. That fan cover piece is a completely different shape.”

Donnie’s stomach does an anxious somersault. And he’d been so excited to find something thrown away in its original box. “I mean, a pump’s a pump, right? How different can they be?”

Half an hour later, Donnie’s managed to remove the fan cover, but not without a sickening crack of plastic and a muffled swear from his brother that tells him he broke something. Hopefully it wasn’t anything crucial. He’ll have to run some tests after he’s finished cleaning it and putting it back together, but since the pump wasn’t working in the first place it will be hard to—

The main hatch creeks open, then closed again. “Tadaima!” call two voices. Leo’s voice cracks on the last syllable, and Dad sounds tired, but pleased.

“Okaeri!” Donnie and Mikey call together, Raph chiming in faintly from the other side of the Lair. Donnie sniffs the air. Beneath the gust of sewer smell is the unmistakable odor of wet fur and back alley dumpster he’s come to associate with food.

He puts down the tools to help Dad and Leo bring in the last of the groceries—bags and bags of iceberg lettuce with browned outer leaves (his mouth waters, knowing the cool, wet crunch awaiting inside), and a box of short pull tab cans that could be either tuna or cat food. Mikey makes a pleased little chirrup as he passes him the cans, which means it’s probably the latter. Fancy Feast is his favorite.

The chore is quickly finished with five sets of hands. Leo keeps bumping into him, thin limbs still quivering with the excitement of getting to go topside. Donnie tucks his own arms close and starts edging out of the kitchen and back towards his corner of dissembled stereos, suddenly not a excited about the prospect of lettuce heart supper. He’s never been above ground. It’s too dangerous with his limited eyesight.

“Ah, Donatello. A moment more, my son. I have a gift for you.”

A large, grey-brown shape crouches before him and presses a closed cardboard box into his hands. Too large for a clock radio, too small to be a VHS player, but mostly empty either way.

“You got Donnie an iron?!” asks Mikey incredulously, crowding close on his left.

Raph huffs dismissively, but presses in close to his right. “It’s just the box, dummy.”

“Go on,” Leo says, fidgeting anxiously from one foot to another. He’s too close for Donnie to make out his expression, but his tone suggests that there’s a surprise that he’s in on, or maybe some sort of joke. “Open it.”

Something heavier than an owner’s manual is rattling around inside. Batteries, maybe, or an overlooked set of cables. Dad couldn’t have been lucky enough to find him a discarded remote.

His family looms over him expectantly as he opens the box and reaches inside. The shape of the object is bizarre: two thick, curved circles, each attached to a long, hinged piece of plastic.

Glasses. His heart sinks. He’s lost track of how many pairs he’s tried, over the years. His thumbs swipe idly across the lenses, noting with dull surprise how thick they are, the pronounced outward curve at their center.

“Try ‘em on!” Leo grabs at his wrists, pushing the glasses up towards his face. “Try ‘em, try ‘em!”

There’s a break in the bridge of the nose, he realizes as he unfolds them. Somebody’s tried to fix them with tape but not done a very good job of it. The glasses bend alarmingly as he slips them over his beak, one lens slipping down his cheek as he struggles to hold the other in place. He looks up.

The world looks very, very strange. On his left, Mikey’s familiar smudged shadows. On his right, a stranger in a red bandana peers at him through narrowed eyes, each pale green scale of his face glimmering faintly gold under the bare kitchen light bulb. In front of him, two more strangers, one skinny and green, fading back and forth into Leo's blurred shape as he bounces excitedly, the other tall and dark and covered in a thousand, million lines, each strand of drying fur casting its own shadow, blue robe speckled with tiny white and yellow stars, the pointed, black-eyed face haloed in a bristle of long, white whiskers.

He gapes, speechless.

For the first time in his life, Donatello sees his father smile.

#tmnt #tmnt 2014 #donatello #splinter #michelangelo #raphael #leonardo #stuff i wrote #turtle tots

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