[cubiclesbitch]

[daisydukesandashotgun]

Visit Original Link

[daisydukesandashotgun]

Interstellar [Drabble]

James has not had the Captain mantle for very long, and Steve seems generally unwilling to take it back too quickly and so instead the three of them dance around each other.

It's like watching two binary stars in orbit and April feels something like a meandering satellite. Like a comet perhaps. Small and icy and strangely fragile. Temporarily caught in their gravitational pull where before she and James orbited one another.

It's very difficult to not feel superfluous but nine months compared to the decades he shared with Steve is like a trifle.

April is made up of sharp edges that she's been painfully grinding away against James' own; but Steve is a smooth piece of sea glass. Tumbled in the wet heave of the ocean until his cutting edges are as velvet soft as the smiles he keeps for James.

She can hardly be blamed for feeling like an interloper. An exclusionary act, an exception to some unspoken rule. James always did have a type. Small and feisty and blonde and things make more sense when she looks at it through the lens of sixty years previous. Before the Serum, before the War and the train and death and pain and decades of heartache wrapped up inside James' bruise blue eyes.

They look less so with every passing day and for a while she thought that was because of something she was doing. That she and James had found a way to slot together. Two fearsome creatures made up of misery and rage and unable to give it voice.

Maybe that was just her. Maybe it was just wishful thinking and the mostly extinguished flame in her chest that made her want to hope. Made her want to be something worth pride and adoration. Worth wanting.

She tells Steve that James is a thing worth wanting. He is. He found a way to burrow into the barricade of her ribcage and light a fire in her lungs that had begun sputtering out the day her father died and all but disappeared a freezing morning in Siberia.

Now she does her best to not avoid them. Because Steve is fragile, but so much more with James. Bucky. She reminds herself; because he isn't hers to call anymore and it's very difficult to begrudge Steve that.

It isn't the sharing that she minds, she would give Steve her heart on a platter if he asked, as soon as James might ask the same of her. She'd lay down on a fucking live wire if it meant they spent another day circling each other like two dreaming stars.

It's that she feels very much like a comet caught in their gravitational pull. Temporary and burning out in the heat of the supernova of their colliding astronomic bodies.

She'll be a wreck when it's over, less of a person than the something brave she's forged herself into and she doesn't know if the ache of her heart or the taste of copper on her tongue is from the overwhelming tidal wave of sadness. Or because she can't help love them all the more for the way they're going to leave her hurdling back into the lonely canvas of interstellar space.

[soldat-zimy-deactivated20141231]

Ab Inconvenienti || April & James

[prizrakistoriya-blog-blog]

█ ▌▌★ ;; 

                  He could see where this situation was going the moment her hand started to turn ever so slowly towards herself, but it was all too late as the tea spilled out of the mug and down onto her shirt. Instantly getting to his feet, James was instantly concerned that the tea might have burnt her, given that it would no doubt have soaked right through the blouse to her skin. While at another point his attention  might have been drawn to her lack of bra, which was screamingly obvious now that her shirt was sticking to her skin, he decided now might not be a good time to make a remark.  

“Dammit, April”, he said, unsure how to help the situation, given he had nothing to give her as a replacement. And honestly, if she removed the blouse things might just get really awkward, especially given where they were and the chances of someone walking in. “I’m an asshole? Why am I an asshole?” In all honesty, the situation was a little funny, although James doubted very much that his humour would be appreciated. Although it was showing a little in his eyes, and the subtle curve of his lips.

“I really, really hope you brought another blouse with you”, he said after a moment, giving a soft laugh. “Because as much as some of your students and staff would appreciate it, I don’t think everyone would enjoy seeing you completely topless”. Especially with no bra. In all honesty, if one of his teachers had come to school shirtless he might have paid more attention and gotten better grades. Much, much better grades. 

[daisydukesandashotgun]

It was too late really for anything to be done to salvage her shirt, and now that the considerably cooler air of the office had saturated her shirt, instead of hot tea, it was soaked in cold tea. The mug clattered to the edge of her desk. Folders and notebooks falling to the floor and she glanced sharply at him.

"Don't you dammit at me. Comin' in here lookin' like that-" She glanced him up and down, for the moment too distracted by keeping the silk off her nipples. God how was this her life- to care about what she was saying, "An' then pull that cowl off like it ain't no big thing. Like you ain't sex on legs covered in kevlar an' get mad b'cause I call you an asshole!" She told him tartly, shoulders hunching forward further. Amusement or not curling her mouth, she fought the smile. God she was ridiculous.

"It wouldna been a problem if you hadn't d'cided this was what you wan'ed t'gimme f'Christmas." A lengthy pause, "I might." She said, and stood, she had to release her shirt and the downy silk clung to her skin. "S'your fault. You're payin' to have this dry cleaned." She pinched his ear as she strode to draw the blinds on her office door, before she went looking for a spare blouse. She did find one, in the tiny closet that she used mostly for storing file boxes. It was a little wrinkled and not actually suitable for wearing at work, but she could wear her blazer over it. It was sort of... see-through. Must have been a camisole at some point. She untucked her blouse and began unbuttoning it.

"Asshole."

[awidowskiss-deactivated20200715]

Surprise, Surprise || Natasha and April

Natasha cracked her neck as she looked up at the window she knew to be April’s office. The woman just had to have an office on the fourth floor and make life inconvenient for her, didn’t she? With a sigh, Natasha armed one of her Widow’s Bites and aimed it at the wall just below April’s window. The cable shot out and her hands curled around it. Natasha began to scale the building with the practiced movements of someone who had done this far too many times. As she reached the window, she easily unsheathed a small knife and slid it into the frame. She popped the catch open easily and sheathed her blade again before she gently swung the window open and dropped into the office.It wasn’t a bad place.

With a flick of red locks, she settled down int the chair that she assumed was April’s and kicked her feet up onto the desk. Natasha clasped her hands together and waited, her green eyes half closed as she allowed the silence of the office to wash over her. Obviously, she was still hyper alert, even with her vision impaired and so, she heard the footsteps coming from a corridor or so away. Immediately, her eyes snapped open, one hand settled on the gun at her hip and she waited, her every muscle coiled like a tiger about to spring into an attack. 

[daisydukesandashotgun]

April strode purposefully into her office, blonde hair in a loose braid. Wild curls haloing her face and shoulders. The end of her braid stretched to the topmost curve of her backside. Carefully dressed in a deep green dress, cream blazer thrown around her shoulders and red-soled heels clicking.

She was speaking rapidfire Korean into her phone, juggling a satchel, juggling three files, her keys, and a thermos of tea. She did not expect to unlock the door to find Natasha creeping in her dark office like a creeping thing, "Didjoo scale th'wall again? You know how of'en I get yelled at f'that? Like it's me doin' it?" She huffed, and began depositing her miscellany on the desk. 

[soldat-zimy-deactivated20141231]

Ab Inconvenienti || April & James

[prizrakistoriya-blog-blog]

█ ▌▌★ ;; 

                  “Yes, but it also saves on food stains. And pets getting to them”, James pointed out, trying not to laugh. His laugh would sound too different to actually work, at least he thought they did. All of this was definitely amusing, April having not pick up his identity, that or she was simply playing along. In all honesty, to his own ear, the fake voice put on to sound like Steve was a little off, although James was unsure as to whether or not that was clear to anyone else.

Leaning back slightly in the chair, James regarded her for a moment, trying to come up with some sort of excuse as to why he was here now. “Not now, they decided that you needed to get the file as soon as possible, so you know what we’re dealing with”, he said, becoming increasingly impatient for the big reveal. To see what her reaction was the moment the cowl was removed, exposing brown hair instead of blond.

“Because you’re the only person in the world I can trust with this”, James said seriously, shaking his head slightly. “Well, I’m one of a rare species of folk who actually don’t mind you, prickly personality and all”. Once again, there was a glimmer of humor in his eyes, hands raising to his chin to undo buckles. All loose, James slid the tightfitting helmet off to reveal hair in all different directions, giving his head a shake. 

[daisydukesandashotgun]

April snorted at the Captain's rejoinder. Such a bizarre thing to say. Something a little strange to the touch of his voice. It set a heat in her abdomen. The way James' voice did. The way-

Her eyes narrowed when the Captain leaned back, she reached a hand out, "Gimme th'file over." Mug balanced in one hand while her free clicked slender fingers.

Watched as he reached to remove the ridiculous cowl. That stupid helmet which protected a goddamn National Asset. If her daddy were alive today he'd tan her hide for bein' so short with a National Treasure. 'A damn war hero, starlin' you better treat Captain Rogers with th'respect he deserves!'--

Only the fine brown locks of James, his laughing, bruise blue eyes, the tiny crows feet, greeted her. Struck dumb, mouth agape and hot tea spilled over the tumble of her hand and down her blouse and skirt. She almost didn't catch what he said, so busy staring dumbstruck at him.

And boy, was there a lot to stare at now she let herself see it. Only she was cussing a blue streak and trying to pull doused white silk away from her chest and knock half a dozen files and sheets of jade green stationary from her desk trying to set the mug down, trying to keep her skin of puckering with heat and cold and wet silk.

She hadn't worn a goddamn bra today and James was telling her he trusted her and didn't mind her prickliness and she glanced up, cheeks flaming red, all to aware she was inches from throwing her mug at his head, or jumping him.

"Я люблю тебя Джеймс Барнс, но вы мудак." She enunciated as clearly as she was able in Russian. Syllables sibilant, teeth clicking as she hunched to keep her blouse from chafing tender skin.

[soldat-zimy-deactivated20141231]

Ab Inconvenienti || April & James

[prizrakistoriya-blog-blog]

█ ▌▌★ ;; 

                  The cowl covered most of his facial features, from the bridge of his nose up, exposing his mouth and jawline. It was a very distinct difference to the mask worn before, the complete opposite, creating a muzzle. Where one was used to control, the other was used to protect. Oddly appropriate, given what each represented, and what those who wore them did. As fingers ran along the smoothly shaved jaw, the decision made that having any facial hair would give the game away both here and when working, James came the decision he preferred the cowl so much more.

Shuffling into the office, he tried to replicate the Captain’s walk as best he could, although there was a slight lean due to the sheer weight of his prosthetic. There was a straining feeling that ran up his shoulder and neck as James forced his body to walk unnaturally, but he could handle it. Settling on the chair, giving a wide smile, he found his body was more relaxed and comfortable. Naturally, his body sat in a militaristic manner, back straight, so there was no need to force any change there.

“I’m assuming you knew I was coming then?” he said, easily slipping into the Brooklyn accent, setting a folder on the desk. Gloved hands clasped together, the sound of the material rubbing together covering whatever noise his prosthetic fingers may have made. “They need your help for a mission. We got a file, because everyone knows you’re as old fashioned as I am”, he added, with a glimmer of humour.

[daisydukesandashotgun]

Green eyes slid over the cowl. The pout of his mouth. The blue of his eyes. There was a niggling in the back of her mind. Something just a touch off. As a Linguist she noted the deepness of his voice. The slight difference of inflection for half a moment.

Of course she and Steve had only gone jogging a handful of times before SHIELD had called him in on a series of missions. He'd been all but disappeared for months it felt like. She wanted to ask if he'd been to see James. Wanted to ask him how he felt about her friendship with the dark haired assassin. There was a flurry of frankly appalling, girlish fluttering in her stomach that she quashed violently.

Tea made in one hand she settled into her chair and hummed, flicking an errant blonde curl over her shoulder and tried to ignore how the breadth of the Captain's shoulders reminded her of James.

"I was informed. Yes." She drawled, voice thick with some unnamable potentially irate emotion, then she snorted, a flicker of a cat-like smile curling her mouth, "I ain't old-fashioned. I just don't think sensitive inf'mation ought be available f'where any damn fool can access it. Paper can be gotten rid a. Digital files can be taken or duplicated easy." There was also the small matter of April being an actual luddite and finding technology frankly annoying and downright baffling.

Teacup was brought to her mouth and her eyes narrowed, "Djy'all need me right away? I ain't exac'ly dressed f'no missions." And then, "An' why th'hell am I goin' anyhow. I ain't no big damn hero. Folk don't like me." She groused. "'pparently I'm mean."

[soldat-zimy-deactivated20141231]

Ab Inconvenienti || April & James

A B  I N C O N V E N I E N T I

                                                { New Latin }

                                    : from inconvenience or hardship

[soldat-zimy-deactivated20141231]

Stars. There were always stars, as far back as his mind could go, which was not all that far considering. Stars and stripes were his past, a proud American patriot who looked upon the Old Glory as a symbol of freedom and the land of the free. And Captain America, whose uniform proudly boasted the same stars and stripes as he fought for the ideals of a nation. But the stripes faded away, and the once white stars had become red, painted to the cold metal in a permanent reminder that he was Russian, turning his back on the nation he once called home. And he had, against his will, becoming a weapon that fought against the ideals he had once stood for.

Once again, James found himself in the land of stars and stripes, confused temporarily as to where his loyalties lay. The answer was clear the moment James had slid the uniform on like a second skin, feeling the sheer weight of such a burden. Everything that Captain America stood for was now on him to uphold, but as always that red star remained on his shoulder, making sure he never forgot where he had been.

I can do this.

                           I

                                     can

                                                 do

                                                            this…

                                                                            But could he? Clearly Steve believed that he could, and he was damn well going to try. It was only a matter of time until the first mission as the new Captain America was given, one that required someone with a knack for languages. While he had quite a few under his belt, there was one person James knew could prove valuable for this task. 

And that one person was April Miller.

No doubt a message was sent ahead that someone would be coming to discuss the mission with her, but never declared who that  would be. Being a little shit, James had taken on the task himself, but did not go in his usual civvies. Instead, after a training session, he had gone to her office in the uniform, which got him surprisingly more interested looks than before. And a few requests for signatures, all of which were simply signed as ‘Captain America’.

Entering the building, James gave his best attempt at a charming smile, although was unsure how it looked from the outside, and made his way to April Miller’s office. Raising a gloved fist, he gave a light rap, waiting a second before turning the handle and entering.

[daisydukesandashotgun]

It had been ages since the last proper mission April had assisted with. Oh, she had certainly had her fair share of work regarding them. Translations mostly. That was her job. It wasn't often the blonde even sat in the office SHIELD had set aside from her. But the work she was doing for Eros (and by 'doing for' it was mostly 'in her own spare time, without his direct approval') as well as the project Shae had pulled her in on, not to mention the several other pieces here and there for various departments.

Well it was just easier to work in SHIELD, where at least she was assured of safety and privacy.

She had a note, someone sending her missive that she would be working with Captain America on some op. Probably diplomatic. The good Captain was fluent enough, she recalled from their few brief meetings, not to mention her conversations with James; but whatever she was needed for was obviously outside the Captain's expertise. A sharp knock on her door drew her from her reverie and, tea mug in hand, she rose and pulled the door open.

There was a whole lot of leather and kevlar happening. She always forgot how physically imposing Captain America was. As a man. Just a sheer wall of muscle and- her eyes traveling up she took in the minuscule difference in the shape of the jaw. The bow of his mouth. The telltale blue of his eyes.

"C'mon in." She turned, gesturing.

[daisydukesandashotgun]

Devil on my Tongue [April and Bucky]

[soldat-zimy-deactivated20141231]

It had only been a few months. Just a few months since the first steps towards some sort of recovery had been taken. That slow and steady journey from being a broken, lost and confused weapon with no direction anymore, to being a shadow of a human being. What had also happened in that time, to his surprise as much as anyone else’s was that someone had managed to crawl past carefully constructed walls. Strong and sturdy walls that James believed to be completely impenetrable, foolishly it seemed. But here they were, somewhat comfortable with contact, and being the comforter rather than the comforted.

It felt easy, it felt normal. Which was both bizarre, and on the opposite end of the spectrum so very pleasant. To finally give back to the one person who had helped him, when everyone did not. There might have been a lingering resentment that the one who had begun this all had disappeared. But rather than focusing on that and becoming bitter, James laughed. “I don’t think Hank would be surprised, after everything recently, that you have a bruise”.

James scoffed, giving April a look that said he did not believe that at all, then crinkled his nose. “I think I know that better than anyone else”, he said gently.

[daisydukesandashotgun]

Even though she and James had known each other only six months it felt so much longer. She swallowed past the surge of emotion rising in her throat and instead opted to give in to the tiredness causing her limbs to seek the warmth and comfort of James own. Face turned and pressed against his shoulder and she hummed tiredly at him. Noncommittal as the comfort of having him their pushed away the last.

The most surreal thing out of this entire situation was not the blossoming wealth of regard she held for James, nor the desire to protect; but rather the desire to crawl inside his skin and never leave. She blamed her exhausted brain on that one instead she glanced up at him, narrow eyed, "Hank would beat you up t'defend m'honor." She mumbled at him, "'cause this ones on account a you." She puffed out a laugh.

She pinched him. "You would know." She told him succinctly, "Seein' as y'-" A yawn cut her sentence down the middle before she continued, eyes sliding closed, "Seein' as y'probably m'best friend outta ever'one. I think y'pretty keen." Though her words were muffled, indistinct by his shoulder as she finally succumbed once more to sleep.

[daisydukesandashotgun]

Devil on my Tongue [April and Bucky]

[soldat-zimy-deactivated20141231]

No matter what she went through, April remained stubborn and determined, which was something that James could respect. Perhaps it was hypocritical to be annoyed that she was trying to brush everything off, when he did it himself. That probably stemmed from the fact he thought that his were deserved, that everything he got was deserved. Not like April. She did not deserve any of this at all.

It was hard to know whether to laugh at that, instead giving an amused look, and a slight smile. “Yeah, I think you might have bruised yourself though”. Although not on the receiving end, there was no doubt that even a light hit like April’s would leave a beautiful big purple blotch given time.

It was a little strange to be so gentle, yet at the same time, James felt like he could be nothing else. Especially given everything they have been through this last little while, and how kind she had been when he needed it most. “Sure you don’t”, was all he said, the building laughter obvious in his voice.

[daisydukesandashotgun]

April imagined her obstinance was probably the reason she was still alive. She wondered if it was an admirable trait or one worthy of pity. She shifted, relaxed into James' arms and tried not to think about how this was the most physical contact she had had since Tim. Since Siberia. Or how since Tim she had refused to trust or let anyone in. The irony of letting in a known assassin was not actually lost on her. But... he was just James. For her. A little broken, very sad but still her James. Possessives aside.

The blonde struggled to find the right way to thank him. To show or tell him how much she appreciated his presence. His tolerance, instead the linguist chose to focus on James' joking manner and waved her hand under his face, "Mm yup. Prob'ly gonna bruise. Havta explain t'Hank exactly how I got it. Punched a metal arm on accident bein' stupid." 

They certainly made a pair, she thought wryly, both too damn afraid of being around other people that here they were, huddled together on a couch because of bad dreams. "I don't. I'll have you now. Might drool a bit though." She shrugged, "Ain't nobody perfect." She narrowed green eyes at him.

[daisydukesandashotgun]

Devil on my Tongue [April and Bucky]

[soldat-zimy-deactivated20141231]

There was barely a flinch when April’s hand struck his arm, or even that she swung out at all. He knew what it was like to be on the other side of fear consuming night terrors, and the way he woke fighting. It was why lampshades and bedheads, and anything else nearby for that matter, would end up broken or thrown across the room by the time morning came. You woke fighting to get away from whatever crept into the forefront of the mind, those faces and places that terrified beyond reason.

There was more surprise, and a little relief, that he had not been struck on the face. When April came to, he gave a small chuckle at her apology, patting her cheek gently with his flesh hand. “It’s alright. It didn’t even hurt. Who knows, might not even bruise”, James said, giving a smile, which slowly faded after a moment. “It wasn’t just a dream, April. You know I’ve been on the other side of them”.

With gentleness, he shifted April so she was sitting up, dropping on to the couch beside her. An arm around her, James held the woman close, assuring her that he was there. This time, no matter how stubborn she was on the whole issue, he was going to have his way, no argument accepted. “It’s alright. I’m a light sleeper anyway. So I was going to wake up at some point anyway”.

[daisydukesandashotgun]

Her hand throbbed, metal arms were apparently not very forgiving things upon which to strike appendages. Something which she was radically learning. April wasn't meant to be a fighter, clawing past the terror in her throat. The panic, the weakness. The vulnerability. It was the hardest thing she'd ever had to do.

But the relief and, dare she say it- surprise in James' voice. His stupid little pat to her cheek, the jerk - "Might not bruise you." She latched onto the change in conversation. Trying her damnedest to shake off the nightmares that had awoken James and then her. She swallowed and said, "I know." Tone careful. Her gaze fixed on the analogue cluck hung on the wall. She'd only been asleep a few hours, but already she could see the haze of sunrise drifting up through a window.

With gentleness April had born witness too in James before, but had not experienced since-- she leaned into him. The sturdiness of him and sighed carefully. "Well it wasn't gonna be b'cause I snore. That's f'sure." She mumbled, "Since I don't."

[daisydukesandashotgun]

'cause I've got a blank space baby, and I'll write your name

[daisydukesandashotgun]

The Things We'll Never Have

She used to wake him up at night with her snuffling snore. The little leg rub that always preceded trying to bury herself underneath him because she could never quite get warm enough.

Even after everything, her distrust of people, her terror at seeming weak, she always turned to him for protection. Even if it was just from the cold. On the bad night: she’d sing him to sleep, she had the sweetest voice.

He wakes with a start, reaching and April catches him. She smells like plums and the delicate perfume she wore on their wedding day. Soft voices from sleep, fingers tangled in his hair.

"S’a’right darlin’, I’m here. Ain’t goin’ nowhere."

But it’s a lie. Because she died. How ironic that she’d be the first to go. The civilian, the teacher. Pint-sized and full of verve. His heart turns over in his chest and for a long moment he forgets how to breathe.

Inundated with the way she smiled the morning he begged her to marry him. They hadn’t even gotten out of bed. Had hidden under the covers from the cold and the snow and talked all day. How he’d fallen in love with his best friend. How she’d crept past all his barriers and shields and buried herself in his heart.

They were never very good at proclamations. April used to joke about it- for all she spoke three dozen languages, finding the right words to say had always escaped her.

But oh- she’d made a beautiful bride. And the day she’d brought home their first child. Her first words. Dancing in the kitchen while April cooked and laughed at him.

Woke him from nightmares when the days were hard and sleep was scarce.

His gasped and sobbed- reached for the space she used to take up to find it empty. Fingers grasping at empty air and the life they’d never lived.

[block]

[daisydukesandashotgun]

Devil on my Tongue [April and Bucky]

[soldat-zimy-deactivated20141231]

Once upon a time, not that long ago if he were perfectly honest, James would have kept April at arm’s length, pushed her further away if he could. But over time, he found the will to keep her away had weakened, and almost without realizing it was happening, she had crawled her way through his impenetrable defences and rooted herself there. Despite everything he had done, exposing the very deep and dark flaws that were masked with a witty joke and a wink, she had just accepted him. A murderer, a monster, a ghost. But to her, somehow, he was just a human, one that was a little damaged.

With a faint smile, he nodded, pausing while climbing into bed to watch as somehow she managed to get the bra off without removing her shirt. How the everloving fuck did she do that? Shaking his head, James dropped onto the bed and pulled blankets up around himself. That was perhaps a question for another time, although he was certain it was some sort of witchcraft.

Sleep was light at first, arms and legs extending out over the bed, tossing and turning. As dreams began, James found himself being pulled away, back to the land of the wake. For a moment he just lay there, trying to figure out why, but then he heard those whimpers coming from the couch and he knew.

Shoving aside blankets, James quickly padded over to April’s side, kneeling down next to the sofa. With utmost gentleness, as much as he was capable of, he began to stroke her hair gently, making soothing hushing sounds but making not attempt to wake her. Not yet, since she could very well swing out. James could handle whatever punches she threw, but knew that she would feel guilty as all hell for it, and that was the last thing he wanted to add to her dish of problems right now. “April, it’s alright. I have you. Nobody can hurt you”. 

[daisydukesandashotgun]

If there was one thing which April had never been stranger too, it was nightmares. Though usually they were more of the finding her father's lifeless body, or being shot variety. Walking into a class to teach only to find herself naked. Being laughed at. Forgetting the myriad of languages she knew. This- this was the twisted shapes she'd hallucinated, Viper's voice in her ear a constant low murmur. Pain low in her gut resonating out to suffuse her limbs.

The comfort of the couch and company did not penetrate her nightmare addled mind, not for long minutes, thrashing, teeth biting bloody her lip once more until the gentle touch of hands drew her to startled wakefulness. She lashed out with a sharp, surprised noise. The back of one hand impacting unforgiving metal with a solid thud. It was the sudden pain, more than James's soft voice that brought her into lucidity.

She froze, and panic blossomed in her chest. Her hand hurt from where it had struck James, but more than anything: that she had woken him from sleep herself. That she could be so weak in front of him. For several long moments she struggled to catch and control her breath. The harder she tried the more difficult it became until her eyes were blurry with unshed tears. It took several staccato heartbeats for his voice to penetrate her mind and when it did she shifted, turned in his arms and pressed her face to his shoulder.

"Sorry. I... shit... fuck. I'm sorry." For the usually prim, loquacious woman- the sudden obscenity rested strangely on her tongue. She drew back once she'd collected herself. "I- didn' mean t'wake you up. S'just a bad dream. I'm fine." She didn't want him to go back to bed honestly; but she wasn't sure she could ask him to stay and hold her. Already she felt awkward as often as they had touched tonight. They were not, of themselves overtly tactile people. James' presence though. The sheer physical magnitude of him all but holding her, was reassuring in a way she didn't know she could ask for more of.

[daisydukesandashotgun]

Throwback Thursday || April / Genis

[a-strangers-legacy-blog]

Damn. He hadn’t thought about that. He looked at April, thinking, he was sure that SHIELD would have turned finding the Skrulls into a witch hunt. She looked tired but it wasn’t the jogging, not entirely, there was an emotional wear and tear to her expression that he couldn’t ignore. The half-kree smiled wearily at her.”Who could ever accuse you of being one of those Skrulls? Like the Skrull could get their hands on Ms. April Miller.” Genis snorted. 

"You sound like you’re struggling a little." he responded. Genis lifted his arms one at a time and stretched his triceps, which had been feeling tight. April mentioned running from your problems and his face dropped, he’d been there, he felt exposed when it came up, April struck a nerve."You’re taking it more literally than I ever did. There is less actual running when I evade my problems. More booze actually."

He laughed, and retorted. “More time consumin’ thangs, April, her name was Becca, and yes before you ask, time evading me means I haven’t called her either.” Shrugging, he rolled his eyes and said. “And I ain’t gonna push something that isn’t gonna happen between us. You aren’t interested in that, we can find other things to enjoy together. Running for example … or reflecting on how my awareness belittles actually having to learn other languages.” 

[daisydukesandashotgun]

She met Genis gaze and held it for another span of heartbeats, took in his reactions to what she was saying while her own face remained impassive. "Plen'y a people did. I went missin' right around th'time th'invasion became public knowledge. Was mighty suspicious at th'time apparently." She sniffed, "An' as flatterin' as that is sug'- I'm human. Plain an' simple. No superpowers or nothin' t'protect me." She informed him.

She tensed a little, panic rising in her throat like an anxious, clawed animal. "I have been." She admitted honestly. Hated it, but it was somehow freeing saying it. "M'therapist says sometimes physical action helps with psychological reaction." She shrugged, "So when I'm feelin' anxious I'm s'posed t'exert control over m'environment an' physical self. Joggin' helps." She shook her head, "Tryna cut back on m'drankin'. Daddy was an alcoholic."

April listened to him laugh, rolled her eyes, "Don'tchoo patronize me boy-" She said, pointing a finger at him, though her eyes twinkled with mirth, "'course t'ain't gonna call her neither." She shook her head, "Yes. Runnin' or talking' about how your mystical woo-woo powers make ya a cheater."

[daisydukesandashotgun]

Standing Stones AU [Loki and April]

[turn-of-the-cards]

This woman just did not give up, Loki thought, exasperatedly. By the Norns, he had never met such an unruly maiden. Well, not on Midgard, at least.

"While direct mind reading is, sadly, not among my many talents, it would only take a small amount of extraneous effort to accomplish such a feat." Loki gave a slight shrug, indicating how easy it would be. "So yes, my conclusion was based merely on presumption, but in this case, I think it’s safe to say my presumption was correct." Even so, Loki had to admit that this woman was surprising him quite a bit. Her stubborn, forceful nature and unwillingness to give in he could accept, but her declaration that his name meant nothing to her was positively shocking. All the mortals he had encountered so far on this backward realm may not have dropped to their knees in reverence upon meeting him, but they certainly had once he announced his identity. He had already assumed that his woman was perhaps from a distant land elsewhere on Earth, but now he was certain of it. "Ah, then it seems you do not practice the worship that others of your ilk do. If I am not one of your deities, then what do you revere? Please tell me it is a more impressive being than a hammer-wielding oaf with an unquenchable thirst for battle."

At her announcement that she had met Migardians bearing his name, Loki groaned. “You’ve met others here with my name? Oh no, the mortals have started naming their offspring after me. How wonderful. Though I suppose I can tolerate it among humans. However, when they start naming their animals after me, then I shall have to go and start smiting them.” His disgust at this development nearly caused him to miss her next comment. “Returning to your proper timeline?” What sort of foolish twattle was this? “Am I to understand that you have somehow mastered the art of passing through time in addition to all of your other achievements? My my, you are an accomplished woman,” he remarked, though he sounded far from impressed.

"Of course I was, but I am more than at liberty to do so. You however are a mortal, and when a mortal speaks so disrespectfully to a superior being, there can—and will—be consequences." He was already convinced of her reckless disregard for her own safety, but even he was surprised when she began to flat-out laugh at him. And not just to laugh, but clearly to doubt his godly status. "You dare…" Loki blinked in surprise before his face hardened into a frown. "You try my patience, wench. I think it is high time you ceased."

But before he could truly respond, she turned and made her way back up the hill. Once again Loki blinked in disbelief, both that she had actually done what he wanted and that she was still acting so flippantly towards him. Though a part of him wanted the woman out of his hair and was glad to see her go, another part of him was intrigued by the strange things she had said and he rather desired to know more. Giving a snap of his fingers, he disappeared and teleported up to the top of the hill, reappearing right in front of her. “Going so soon, dear? What a pity, for I was really beginning to enjoy our conversation. Surely you can regale me with more of your…progressive ideas?” Narrowing his eyes, he added, “Not to mention that I do not take kindly to being mocked. So if you think you will escape so easily, think again.”

[daisydukesandashotgun]

The man seemed intent on being as irritating as possible. She made a note the next time she inadvertently decided to go time-traveling. To avoid anyone who might look or act like him. Damn irritating, and she at twenty-three with virtually no desire or motivation to deal with him or his ilk.

One delicate brow arched and she snorted, "I'm sure. You an' th'rest a th'conmen out there right?" She said, tone skeptic. Face impassive and composed. He was intelligent; arrogant which she thought was a damn shame because she thought in another situation she might have enjoyed picking his brain. Insofar as any person of this time period could be intelligent at any rate. Especially when they thought they were a God. She watched shock flicker briefly across his face at her proclamation-- he really believed he was a God. Christ that was her luck. Of course. "Technically Catholic, though I haven't believed in any sort of God since I was a child." Lapsed Catholic was the correct term probably. She snorted - "Certainly not a 'hammer-wielding oaf with an unquenchable thirst for battle' - you must think very highly of him to speak such kind words." She said drolly.

Arrogant and self-absorbed, "It's a name. I've met more cats bearing the name Loki than I have men." And then she rolled her eyes- she'd had a classmate like him a handful of years ago. Her patience for dealing then was much the same as it was now. Virtually nonexistent. "I'm quite accomplished but it was hardly of my own doing." She rolled her eyes, "Hence the inadvertent transgression across time streams, people don't actually possess the ability to travel through time of their own accord, can you imagine the disaster that would befall such an occurrence? Are you certain you weren't repeatedly dropped on your head as an infant?"

She could hear him being vaguely threatening behind her and further down the hill, she was sure it was suitably insulting and designed to annoy her further but she didn't have time for it. She wanted to go home. Possibly take a bath. Definitely drink some wine. The day had hardly begun and already it felt too long. Green eyes widened in surprise as he just... sort of appeared in front of her atop the hill and - "I'll confess that parlor trick is impressive; but I really haven't the time nor inclination to entertain more of your-" She waved a hand, "Whatever this is you're trying to prove. We're all very impressed with your mighty skills and enormous penis but really darling. Utterly disinterested in this machismo contest you seem bent on engaging in with me." She sidestepped around him and kept trekking through the brush toward the standing stones she had appeared in.